Chaney Et Al Flashcards
What is the definition of operant conditioning?
Operant conditioning is a form of associative learning where associations and connections are formed between stimuli and a response that didn’t exist before learning occurs.
What does operant conditioning involve?
Operant conditioning involves learning through the consequences of behavioural responses.
What was the Law of Effect principle?
[This was first looked at by Thorndike]
Thorndike found that any response that led to a desirable consequence was more likely to be repeated.
Responses that led to an undesirable consequence was less likely to be repeated.
What was the aim of Chaney Et Al’s study?
The aim of Chain et al’s study was to show that the use of a novel asthma spacer device (the Funhaler) that incorporates incentive toys isolated from the main inspiratoria circuit by a valve - whilst not compromising on drug delivery - can provide positive reinforcement which leads to improved adherence in young asthmatics.
What was Chaney et al’s research design?
Field experiment
What was Chaney et al’s research design?
Field experiment
What was Chaney et Al’s experimental design?
Repeated measures (participants take part in all scenarios)
What were the benefits of the research design used?
Field experiments allow for high ecological validity.
Asses the validity of the experimental design (repeated measures)
It was repeated measures which allows you to reduce extraneous variables and isolate the effects of the Funhaler therefore increasing internal validity.
What was the IV in Chaney’s experiment?
The Independent Variable was the Funhaler
What was the DV in Chaney’s experiment?
The DV was the children’s adherence to the prescribed medical regime.
Evaluate the effectiveness of the self report methods in this study:
As this was a field study, the use of questionnaires and phone interviews were easiest as it allowed them to collect data and reduce the attrition (reduction of effectiveness) rate.
However parents may feel more inclined to lie due to the social desirability and therefore the validity of the results may be effected.
Chaney’s method in 5 steps:
1) Firstly, they compared the original inhaler and the Funhaler to ensure that they delivered the same amount of aerosol (make sure that the Funhaler doesn’t interfere with drug delievery)
2) Parents were given a questionnaire about the current inhaler - including a consent form (at this point they have no clue about the Funhaler)
3) The children were given the Funhaler for two weeks which included instructions for the parents to use with their child.
4) Parents were randomly called to see if they had used the Funhaler the previous day.
5) After 2 weeks the parents were given a matched questionnaires which were to be completed after the sequential use of both inhalers. They were also visited where they were given another questionnaire and an interview.
What did the questionnaires ask?
(This is the materials used in the study)
They asked:
• how easy they device was to use
• compliance of the parents and children
• treatment attitudes
