Chapter 2 - Observations and Recordings Flashcards
Behavioral Assessment
Measurement of the target behavior in behavior modification
What does measuring the behavior before treatment provide?
Information that can help you determine whether treatment is necessary
Indirect Assessment
Using interviews, questionnaires, and rating scales to obtain information on the target behavior fro the person exhibiting the behavior or from others
Direct Assessment
- A person observes and records the target behavior as it occurs
- Most common
Why is direct assessment preferred over indirect assessment?
It is usually more accurate because the observer is trained specifically to observe the target behavior and record its occurrence immediately while indirect assessment relies on people’s memories
Steps to develop a behavior recording plan
- Defining the target behavior
- Determining the logistics of recording
- Choosing a recording method
- Choosing a recording instrument
Interobserver agreement or Interobserver reliability
Two people independently observe the same behavior and both record that the behavior ocurred
Self-monitoring
The client observes and records his or her own target behavior
Observation period
The observer records the target behavior in a specific period
Natural setting
Consists of places in which the target behavior typically occurs
Analogue setting
- Setting that is not in the daily life of the client
- researchers often simulate events that are likely to occur in natural settings
Structured observations
The observer arranges for specific events or activities to occur during the observation period
Unstructured observations
No specific events or activities are arranged and no instructions are given during the observation period
When is self-monitoring used?
the client may be able to observe and record the target behavior throughout the day and may not be constrained by a specific observation period
Continuous Recording
The observer observes the client continuously throughout the observation period and records each occurrence of the behavior
Frequency
the number of times the behavior occurs in an observation period
Duration
the total amount of time occupied by the behavior from start to finish
Real-time recording
Method in which the exact time of each onset and offset of the target behavior is recorded
Intensity
The amount of force, energy and exertion involved in it
Latency
The time form some stimulus or event to the onset of the behavior
Baseline
The period during which the target behavior is recorded before treatment is implemented
Percentage of Opportunities
The observer records the occurrence of a behavior in relation to some other event, such as learning trial or a response opportunity, and reports the results as the percentage of opportunities in which the behavior occurred
Product recording (permanent product recording)
An indirect assessment method that can be used when a behavior results in a certain tangible outcome that you are interested in
Benefit of product recording
The observer does not have to be present when the behavior occurs
Drawback of product recording
You cannot always determine who engaged in the behavior that led to the product you recorded
Partial-interview recording
The observer scores the interval if the behavior occurred during any part of the interval
Whole-interval recording
The occurrence of the behavior is marked in an interval only when the behavior occurs throughout the entire interval
Frequency-within-interval recording
The observer records the frequency of the target behavior but does so within consecutive intervals of time in the observation period
Time sample recording
- Divide the observation period into intervals of time, but you observe and record the behavior during only part of each interval
Momentary time sample recording (MTS)
Behavior is recorded only if it occurs at the exact instant the interval ends
Recording instruments
- What the observer uses to register or make a permanent product of the occurrence of the behavior
- Regardless of instrument used the one characteristic of all behavior recording procedures is that the person observes the behavior and records it immediately
What are the two things that a recording must be?
Immediate and Practical
Reactivity
- The process of recording a behavior can cause a behavior to change, even before any treatment is implemented
- The risk of reactivity can be minimized by waiting until the client gets accustomed to the observer
Interobserver Agreement (IOA)
Determines whether the target behavior is being recorded consistently
How do you evaluate IOA
Two people independently observe and record the same target behavior of the same subject during the same observation period
Target Behavior
Identifying exactly what the person says or does that constitutes the behavioral excess or behavioral deficit targeted the change
What should the behavioral definition include?
Active verbs describing the behavior the person exhibits
What methods can you use to record the target behavior?
Continuous recording of the frequency, duration, latency, or magnitude of the behavior; percentage of opportunity recording; product recording; interval recording; or time sample recording
Continuous Recording
observer observes the client continuously throughout the observation period and records each occurrence of the behavior
Interval and time sample recording have what in common?
- observation period is divided into a number of smaller time periods of intervals and the behavior is recorded as occurring or not occurring within each interval
- Level of the behavior is reported as the percentage of intervals in which the behavior occurred
Interval recording
Consecutive time periods, and with time sample recording, the intervals are separated by periods without observation
Tools of Indirect Assessment
- Interviews
- Questionnaires
- Rating Scales
- Product Measures
Product Measures
Things that a person does that can measure their behavior. For example, a person with terrets clears their throat and the observer counts how many times they do so
Defining the Target Behavior
- Avoid Labels
- No inferences about internal states or motivations. You cannot be sure about other people without them directly expressing their feelings
