Ch 2 Test: Observing and Recording Behavior

Question 1

In behavior modification, measurement of the target behavior is called:

Answer 1

behavioral assessment

Question 2

The measurement of behavior is important because: a) measurement can determine if treatment is necessary b) measurement can determine the best treatment c) measurement can determine if the treatment is working d) all of these

Answer 2

d

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT used in indirect assessment? a) interviews b) questionnaires c) direct observation d) rating scales

Answer 3

c

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT used in direct assessment? a) questionnaires b) frequency recording c) time sample recording d) duration recording

Answer 4

a

Question 5

A teacher observes and records instances of misbehavior by a student. This is an example of:

Answer 5

direct assessment

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT a step in developing a behavior recording plan? a) defining the target behavior b) applying procedures to change the target behavior c) determining the logistics of recording d) choosing a recording method

Answer 6

b

Question 7

A teacher wants to develop a behavior recording plan that she intends to use with one of her students. The teacher’s first step would be:

Answer 7

defining the target behavior

Question 8

A behavioral definition:

Answer 8

describes specific behaviors

Question 9

Julie and Beth independently observe (hear) a child swear, and each records that swearing occurred. This is called:

Answer 9

interobserver agreement

Question 10

Jerry wants to improve his studying. He observes and records the times when he studies. Observing and recording your own behavior is called:

Answer 10

self-monitoring

Question 11

Dawn’s parents record her hair pulling behavior for a specific period of time. The time during which Dawn’s parents observe and record her behavior is called the:

Answer 11

observation period

Question 12

What is involved in determining the logistics of recording? a) who will do the recording b) when the recording will occur c) where the recording will occur d) all of these

Answer 12

d

Question 13

Zach’s behavior of pushing other children typically occurs on the playground. The playground would be a(n) ________________ setting for Zach’s behavior.

Answer 13

natural

Question 14

Which observation setting will provide the most representative sample of the target behavior?

Answer 14

natural setting

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT an advantage of an analogue setting? a) it is easier to control the situation during observation b) it is easier to manipulate variables that affect behavior c) it provides a more representative sample of the target behavior d) all of these

Answer 15

c

Question 16

A psychologist wants to observe the tantrum behavior of a child. The tantrums usually occur in the classroom, but the psychologist does not have access to the classroom so she observes the child in a room that resembles a classroom. This would be an example of a(n) ___________ setting.

Answer 16

analogue

Question 17

Brian’s parents are interested in recording his stuttering behavior. They record each instance in which Brian stutters. This is an example of _____________ recording.

Answer 17

continuous

Question 18

Which dimension of behavior is NOT recorded using continuous recording?

Answer 18

time sample

Question 19

A teacher records each instance of a student swearing in class. The teacher is recording which dimension of behavior?

Answer 19

frequency

Question 20

A parent records how loudly her child screams. The parent is recording the ____________ of the screams.

Answer 20

intensity

Question 21

Bill keeps track of the amount of time he studies each day. Which dimension of behavior is Bill recording?

Answer 21

duration

Question 22

A track coach records the amount of time it takes a sprinter to start running once the gun has been sounded. The coach is recording the dimension of ____________.

Answer 22

latency

Question 23

A track coach records how long it takes a sprinter to run 100 meters. The track coach is recording what dimension of behavior?

Answer 23

duration

Question 24

A teacher records the number of math homework problems a student has correctly completed in order to determine the student’s performance. The teacher is using ____________ recording.

Answer 24

product

Question 25

An observer divides an observation period into a number of consecutive time periods, and then records whether the target behavior occurred during each period. This is called:

Answer 25

interval recording

Question 26

If an observation period is divided into a number of time periods, and the behavior is recorded during only part of each interval it is called _____________ recording.

Answer 26

time sample

Question 27

Which of the following can be used as a recording instrument? a) paper and pencil b) golf stroke counter c) stopwatch d) all of these

Answer 27

d

Question 28

Matthew frequently hits other children during class. However, he never hits other kids when he knows the teacher is observing him. This is an example of:

Answer 28

reactivity

Question 29

What is the minimally acceptable level of interobserver agreement in research?

Answer 29

80%

Question 30

Which method will NOT reduce reactivity of observation? a) observe through a one-way observation window b) tell the person you are observing his/her behavior c) wait until the person you are observing is accustomed to your presence d) use participant observers

Answer 30

b

Question 31

Assessment that relies on information from interviews and questionnaires is called _________________________ assessment.

Answer 31

indirect

Question 32

Merlin counted the number of times that he picked his nose each day. What dimension of behavior was he recording?

Answer 32

frequency

Question 33

What is it called when two observers record the same behavior of the same person during the same time period and compare the results of their recording?

Answer 33

interobserver agreement (IOA)

Question 34

Perry’s watch beeped every 5 minutes and he recorded whether he was slouched over (bad posture) at the time the watch beeped. This is an example of ___________________ recording.

Answer 34

time sample

Question 35

Bernie recorded how long he studied each day. What dimension of behavior was he recording?

Answer 35

duration

Question 36

Sherry had throat surgery and could not talk for days. She worked with a speech therapist to increase her voice loudness. The therapist used an instrument to measure increases in the loudness of her voice. What dimension of behavior was the speech therapist recording?

Answer 36

intensity

Question 37

Recording behavior in brief observation intervals each separated by longer periods of time is called ___________________________ recording.

Answer 37

time sample

Question 38

Below are the results of interval recording by two observers, A and B.

• What is the percentage of intervals scored by observer A?
• What percentage is scored by observer B?
• Calculate interobserver agreement for the interval recording of observers A and B.

Answer 38

A= 7/10 - 70%

B= 8/10 - 80%

Interobserver agreement= 7/7+3 = 70%

Question 39

T or F

A good behavioral definition requires you to make inferences about internal states or motivation of the individual.

Answer 39

F

Question 40

T or F

In interval recording procedures, the behavior is recorded in consecutive periods of time within the observation period.

Answer 40

T

Question 41

T or F

Frequency, duration, intensity, and latency are dimensions of behavior that can be measured in a continuous recording procedure.

Answer 41

T

Question 42

T or F

Reactivity of observation often occurs with self-monitoring, but never when recording is done by an observer.

Answer 42

F

Question 43

T or F

Interobserver agreement must be 100% to be acceptable.

Answer 43

F

Question 44

T or F

Recording how long it takes for a person to come up with an answer to a question after the question is asked is an example of a duration measure.

Answer 44

F

Question 45

T or F

Interobserver agreement involves an observer recording the person’s behavior in another observation period to see if the behavior is the same.

Answer 45

F

Question 46

T or F

Recording a person’s behavior without the person knowing that recording is taking place, is one way to decrease reactivity.

Answer 46

T

Question 47

T or F

In time sample recording, the behavior is recorded in consecutive periods of time within the observation period.

Answer 47

F

Question 48

T or F

Recording how long a person studies is an example of intensity recording.

Answer 48

F

Question 49

What are two ways to reduce reactivity of observation?

Answer 49

1. wait until the individuals who are being observed become accustomed to the observer
2. have the observer record the behavior without the individuals knowing that they are being observed.

Question 50

Identify two of the reasons why behavioral assessment is an important part of behavior modification.

Answer 50

1. it provides information that can help you decide whether treatment is necessary and helps you choose the best treatment
2. measurement of the target behavior during and after treatment will allow you to determine whether the behavior changed following the implementation of treatment.

Question 51

Provide an example of frequency recording

Answer 51

Frequency recording: recording the number of head slaps exhibited by a self-injurious child.

Question 52

Provide an example of duration recording

Answer 52

Duration recording: recording the amount of time a person engages in physical exercise. Intensity: using a decibel meter to measure the intensity or loudness of someone’s speech.

Question 53

Provide an example of latency recording

Answer 53

Latency recording: recording how long it takes a child to pick up her toys after the parents ask her to do so

Question 54

Provide an example of time sample recording

Answer 54

a teacher using time sample recording to measure the on-task behavior of a child with ADHD might set his watch to beep every five minutes and will record whether or not the child was on task when the watch beeped.

Question 55

Provide an example of interval recording.

Answer 55

an observer may record whether or not an individual engages in aggressive behavior during each 10-minute interval of the observation period.

Question 56

Describe how you would conduct real-time recording

Answer 56

Real time recording engages in aggressive behavior during each 10-minute interval of the observation period.

While observing a child’s tantrum behavior, the observer would indicate the exact time each tantrum started and stopped so that information would be available on frequency, duration, and the timing of the behavior in the observation period.