Chapter 2 - Basic Terminology Flashcards
Variable
A characteristic of a person, place or thing that can change (vary) over time or from one situation to another.
Independent Variable
That aspect of an experiment that is made to systematically vary across the different conditions in an experiment
What is manipulated
Dependent Variable
That aspect of an experiment that is allowed to freely vary to determine if it is affected by changes in the independent variable
What is measured
Dependent upon changes in the independent variable
Functional Relationship
The relationship between changes in an independent variable (Environmental event) and changes in a dependent variable (behavior)
A cause (IV) and effect (DV) relationship.
appetitive stimulus
An event that an organism will seek out.
aversive stimulus
An event that an organism will avoid.
baseline
The normal frequency of a behavior before some intervention.
case study approach
A descriptive research approach that involves intensive examination of one or a few individuals.
changing-criterion design
A type of single-subject design in which the effect of the treatment is demonstrated by how closely the behavior matches a criterion that is systematically altered.
comparative design
A type of control group design in which different species constitute one of the independent variables.
contingency
A predictive relationship between two events such that the occurrence of one event predicts the probable occurrence of the other.
control group design
A type of experiment in which, at its simplest, subjects are randomly assigned to either an experimental (or treatment) group or a control group; subjects assigned to the experimental group are exposed to a certain manipulation or treatment, while those assigned to the control group are not.
Problems:
Requires large numbers of subjects
Focuses on the average and ignores unusuals
Result only assessed at end of study
covert behavior
Behavior that can be subjectively perceived only by the person performing the behavior. Thoughts and feelings are covert behaviors. Also known as private events or private behavior.
Overt/covert behaviors are also reciprocal; one can influence the other: i.e. thinking about something is covert; performing because of the thought is overt.
cumulative recorder
A device that measures total number of responses over time and provides a graphic depiction of the rate of behavior.
deprivation
The prolonged absence of an event that tends to increase the appetitiveness of that event.
descriptive research
Research that focuses on describing the behavior and the situation within which it occurs.
duration
The length of time that an individual repeatedly or continuously performs a certain behavior.
establishing operation
A procedure that affects the appetitiveness or aversiveness of a stimulus.
intensity
The force or magnitude of a behavior.
interval recording
The measurement of whether or not a behavior occurs within a series of continuous intervals. (Note that the number of times that the behavior occurs within each interval is irrelevant.)
latency
The length of time required for a behavior to begin.
multiple-baseline design
A type of single-subject design in which a treatment is instituted at successive points in time for two or more persons, settings, or behaviors.
Cons-
Treatment effect may alter behavior in untreated settings
Need multiple people, settings or behaviors
Pros:
Good for long term changes and ethical concerns
naturalistic observation
A descriptive research approach that involves the systematic observation and recording of behavior in its natural environment.
overt behavior
Behavior that has the potential for being directly observed by an individual other than the one performing the behavior.
Overt/covert behaviors are also reciprocal; one can influence the other: i.e. thinking about something is covert; performing because of the thought is overt.
