CH.1-3: Measurement Flashcards
Behaviour Analysis? And who?
Natural Science that studies the behaviour of organisms. Derived from Pavlov, Thorndike, Watson and Skinner
Psychological Approach?
Behaviour originates in “the mind”
Natural Science Approach
Behaviour is a natural phenomenon and must be accounted for like any other natural phenomenon.
Manipulated variables in the scientific approach
Manipulated variables must be independently verifiable (measurable). Assumptions: 1. All behaviour is caused. 2. Cause precede their effects. 3. When confronted with competing explanations the most parsimonious is preferred. 4. The causes of behaviour include only natural (publicly observable) phenomena.
Circular Logic
A logical fallacy in which the reasoner begins with what they are trying to end with. Cake ex: They didn’t eat the cake because willpower. We know they have willpower because they didn’t eat the cake. Explanation = description and description = explanation. Bad because no new info is being added.
The Experimental Method
The Hypothesized Cause (Independent Variable x) —>(Causality) —> The Phenomenon to be Explained (Dependent Variable Y)
Phenomenon
A fact or situation that is observed to exist or happen, especially one whose cause or explanation is in question.
Basic Logic of The Experimental Method
Independent Variable Manipulation (Environmental Condition A-cause present, Environmental Condition B-cause absent) and the Dependent Variable (Behaviour- does it occur or not)
In the rat experiment with coffee, what was the Independent Variable and dependent variable?
IV: the amount of coffee given to the rats.
DV: the work they did (the lever pressing across time)
What is causality?
There is a causal relationship between two variables if a change in the level of one variable causes a change in the other variable.
Ex: Environmental manipulation —>Causality—> Observed Behaviour
What is the para-mechanical process?
Independent Variable (Environmental Manipulation) —>
Causality —> Invisible Process—> Causality —> Dependent Variable (observed behaviour)
In simple terms, a para-mechanical process in behavior modification is anything that supports behavior change indirectly, like using reminders, organizing the environment, or setting routines that help make it easier to stick to desired behaviors. It’s not directly changing the behavior itself, but helping the main process work better.
What is the basic goal of psychology?
To explain the behaviour of organisms.
Explain = Prediction and Control.
A Functional (i.e. causal) Relationship
When changes in an independent variable (X) cause orderly changes in a dependent variable (Y)
Important: Behaviour = f(Organism, Environment)
Ex. Coke = f(money)
Where coke is the dependent variable and money is the independent variable.
Behaviour characteristics?
Behaviour is not static or discrete. It is continuous (like evolution) and shaped by the environment (also like evolution).
The pure stimulus-response model of behaviour is not accepted anymore.
Selection
Is a causal process.
In psychology, “selection” in behavior modification refers to choosing behaviors that are most likely to be rewarded or are beneficial based on past experiences. Over time, behaviors that get positive results are “selected” and repeated, while those that don’t work well are less likely to continue. It’s like a natural process of figuring out what works best and sticking to it.
Ex turning a door knob.
Variations in: pressure, strength, technique, hand.
Variations are selected: become more or less probable based on how well they work. Behaviour is changed by experiences in the environment.
Operational Definition
A description of a variable in terms of the operations used to establish or measure that variable.
Precise, Interobserver reliability (people using the same definitions should reach the same conclusions), quantitative, objective/unambiguous (no reference of internal states, feelings, or motivations), practical, important/significant.
Ex. Measuring when a mouse goes around a corner. Are we measuring when the head passes the corner? The shoulders? The tail?
Ex. Measuring the “mouth wateringness” of food.
Using cotton balls to measure saliva for a certain period of time. A scale of 0-10 will not work because my 7 may not be the same as your 7 (interobserver reliability)
Category mistakes
Treating a category label as an instance of a category.
Example: Team spirit.
Yes- team chants, huddles, high fives
No- Actual Ghost
Example: Name three fruits
Yes- Apple, banana, peach
No- Apple, banana, fruit
Leads to circular logic.
Example: Man performs complex math equation. Error: He is assumed to be intelligent.
Behavioural Assessment
Measurement of the target behaviour.
Baseline
A phase in which no treatment is implemented.
1) Determine if treatment is necessary.
2) Determine whether or not your treatment was successful.
A-B-A-B Reversal Design
Demonstrates a functional (causal) relationship between the manipulated variable and the dependent variable.
A-B-A-B Reversal Design considerations
Variations: A-B-A-C-A
Is it ethical to remove treatment?
Can the treatment be removed?
How long do you gather baseline and treatment data?
Direct vs. Indirect Assessment
Direct (ideal): target behaviour is measured as it occurs.
The observer need not be a person, but can also be a camera or some other recording device, self-monitoring.
Indirect: Measure target behaviour with interviews, questionnaires, and/or rating scales, rely on testimony from other people, requires recall of an individual’s behaviour. Testimonials may be biased, inaccurate, unreliable and/or incomplete.
Populations vs. Individuals, sample mean and variance
Common statistical approaches emphasize averages across individuals.
-Sample mean estimates the true population mean
-Sample variance estimates the true population variance
Populations vs. Individuals errors
Averages may not represent reality. Generalize from individuals to populations. Generalize from populations to individuals. Statistical fallacy.
Single-Case Designs
Method concerned with discovering the principles and conditions that govern an individual organism. The individual acts as its own control group.
Also called single- subject designs
Behavioural measures: Accuracy
Error reduction/percent correct.
Ex. How many mistakes you made on a practice quiz.
Behavioural Measures: Topography
The way a behaviour looks
Playing an instrument- technique
A boisterous classmate- their behaviour
Behavioural Measures: Intensity
The severity or forcefulness of a behaviour.
Ex:
-A rat pressing lever to get food; increase resistance of lever so that the rat has to press harder
-After learning a piece you add dynamics.
-A child screams for four hours at 70 db
Behavioural Measures: Latency
Amount of time passed before behaviour occurs
Ex.
-reflexes
-Child learning multiplication tables “5x7” “…” vs “5x7” “35!”
Behavioural Measures: Duration
The amount of time during which a behavior happens; how long the behavior takes.
Ex:
-How long it takes a rat to get through a maze (initially slow then speeds up
-Child reciting ABC’s
-A student engages in tantrum behavior for eight minutes during music class.
Behavioural Measures: Distribution of Behaviour
Choice of behaviour
Ex:
-When given two slot machines, you may choose to play one slot machine slightly more than the other. Measure amount of. Time on each machine or amount of switching.
Behavioural Measures: Rate
Amount of behaviour (occurrences)/ time
Ex:
-Rate of swearing: Amount of times swearing/some unit of time (ie 24)
Behavioural Measures: Frequency
Amount of behaviour
Ex:
- Frequency of swearing is the amount of times you swore.
Natural Environment vs. Analogue Environment
Natural:
-Pro: determine what variable to investigate
-Con: behaviour more chaotic, difficult to control variables
Analogue:
-Con: too unrealistic
-Pro: controlled, orderly behaviour & reproducible
Why do we use animals?
-Control the influence of heredity (know their genetic history… you can’t have breeding programs for humans)
-Control the influence of learning
-Practicality (small, easy to handle, work hard for small amount of food)
-Apply procedures that are unethical with humans
