Ch.2 Observing and Recording Bx Flashcards
Behavioral Assessment
Measurement of target bx in behavior modification
Why are behavioral assessments important
-helps determine if Tx is necessary
-provide info to help choose the best Tx
-measuring before and after Tx helps determine if Bx changed after Tx was implemented
Indirect Assessment
Means of obtaining info on the bx from the person engaging in the bx or from the people in their life (parents, friends, etc.)
Types of Indirect Assessments
Questionnaires, interviews, rating scales
Pros and Cons of Indirect Assessments
Pro: can help decide when to perform Direct Assessment
Con: doesn’t occur during bx, relies on other people’s recall, some people can be biased
Direct Assessment
an individual (or camera) observes and records the behavior of interest as it occurs
Why is Direct Assessment preferred
The observers are trained specifically to record the target bx (that was operationally defined) and record the occurrence immediately
Steps to Develop a Behavior Recording Plan
- Define bx
- Determine when you will record
- Choose a recording method
- Choose a recording instrument
Behavioral Definition
includes active verbs describing specific behaviors that a person exhibits; objective and unambiguous
Interobserver Agreement
when two people independently observe the same behavior and both record that the behavior occurred
Social Validity
when the client and individuals in their life agree that the behavior(s) of interest is/are important and acceptable
Qualities of the observer
-close proximity to person engaging in bx
-trained to observe and record bx immediately
-willing to be an observer and has the time to observe and record
Structured Observation
observer arranges for specific events or activities to occur during the observation period
Unstructured Observation
no specific events or activities are arranged and no instructions are given during observation period
Types of Recoridng Method
Continuous, Interval, Product, Time Sampling
Continuous Recording
Observer observes client continuously throughout the observation period and records each occurrence of bx; must be able to identify onset and offset
Real-time Recording
exact time of each onset and offset is also recorded
Intensity (magnitude)
amount of force, energy, or exertion involved in the bx
Intensity (magnitude)
amount of force, energy, or exertion involved in the bx
Why might it be important to measure more than one dimension after treatment?
Because more than one dimension of the behavior could have been changed. The duration could be short after treatment, but the frequency significantly increased. Or the frequency decreased, but eh duration or intensity increased.
Percentage of Opportunities
percentage of trials or percent correct (# of responses / # of opportunities to respond)
Product Recording (Permanent Product)
Indirect assessment that can be used when a bx results in a certain tangible outcome that you’re interested in
Pros and Cons of Product Recording
Pros: observer does not have to be present when the bx occurs
Cons: cannot always determine who engaged in the behavior that led to the product you recorded
Pros and Cons of Product Recording
Pros: observer does not have to be present when the bx occurs
Cons: cannot always determine who engaged in the behavior that led to the product you recorded
Interval Recording
Method for recording bx in which you record whether the bx occurred during consecutive time periods or intervals
(# of intervals bx occurred / total # of intervals in obs. period)
Frequency-within-interval-recording
observer records frequency of the target bx but does so within consecutive intervals of time in the observation period
Time Sample Recording
Divide observation period into intervals of time but observe and record the bx during only part of each interval
Time Sample Recording (2)
Record the occurrence or nonoccurrence of behavior in discontinuous intervals of time (time samples) during an observation period
Time Sample Recording (2)
Record the occurrence or nonoccurrence of behavior in discontinuous intervals of time (time samples) during an observation period
Why is reactivity undesired
the bx recorded during this observation period is not a representative sample of the level of the bx occurring in the absence of the observer or in the absence of self-monitoring
What are the 2 ways to reduce reactivity
-wait until the individual becomes used to the presence of the camera/observer
-use discreet observation methods (hidden camera, one-way observation windows, a double agent)
Why might reactivity be desirable
When a person starts to record their own bx as part of a self-management project, bx often changes in the desired direction as a result of self-monitoring
Interval Recording IOA calculation
of intervals of agreement / total # of intervals
Occurrence only IOA
-intervals where both observers scored bx are counted as agreements. Intervals where both observers did not score an occurrence of the bx are not used in the calculation
-more conservative measure of IOA for low-rate bx because it is easier to agree on the occurrence of the bx by chance
Occurrence only IOA calculation
Number of intervals with agreements on occurrence of bx / (intervals with agreements + intervals of disagreements)
Nonoccurrence only IOA
-intervals where both observers agreed the bx did not occur are counted as agreements. Intervals where both observers scored an occurrence of the behavior are not used in the calculation
-more conservative measure of IOA for high-rate bx because it is easier to agree on the occurrence of the bx by chance
Nonoccurrence only IOA calculation
of intervals with agreements on nonoccurrence of bx / (# of agreements + disagreements)
Nonoccurrence only IOA calculation
of intervals with agreements on nonoccurrence of bx / (# of agreements + disagreements)
Frequency-within-interval IOA
percentage of agreement between observers for each interval (smaller frequency / larger frequency), sum the percentage for all intervals, and divide the number of intervals in the observation period
Frequency-within-interval IOA calculation
-Find % agreement between observers for each interval (smaller frequency / larger frequency)
-Sum of all percentages / # of intervals in observation period
