Chapter 2b

Question 1

independent variable

Answer 1

the condition changed or controlled by the experimenter; free to vary at the discretion of the researcher

Question 2

dependent variable

Answer 2

the measured effect of the IV; change depends on the value of the independent variable set by the experimenter

Question 3

A-B-A-B reversal

Answer 3

powerful tool used to show causal relationships among stimuli, responses, and consequences

commonly used to study behavior-environment relationships

Question 4

baseline

Answer 4

the A phase; measures behavior before the researcher introduces an environmental change

during baseline researchers can establish a criterion against which any subsequent changes, caused by the independent variable, may be assessed

Question 5

steady state performance

Answer 5

when a behavior reinforced in a particular way becomes stable (low variability)

pattern of response that develops after repeated long exposure to the reinforcement procedure

Question 6

baseline sensitivity

Answer 6

a low exposure to a independent variable can cause substantial changes in baseline behavior

Question 7

single subject research

Answer 7

a single individual is exposed to the values of the independent variable, and the experiment may be conducted with several subjects

Question 8

direct replication

Answer 8

manipulating the independent variable in the same way for each subject in the experiment

every individual in a single subject experiment makes up a direct replication of the research

Question 9

generality

Answer 9

how well research findings can be generalized across a population

Question 10

systematic replication

Answer 10

uses procedures that are different but logically related to the original research question

Question 11

contingency of reinforcement

Answer 11

A definition of the relationship between the occasion, the operant class, and the consequences that follow the behavior.generalize across species, type of reinforcement, diverse settings, and different operants

Question 12

replication

Answer 12

establishes generality of the effect in a behavior experiment

Question 13

change in level

Answer 13

the difference between the baseline and treatment phases in an experiment

Question 14

range of variability

Answer 14

the difference between the highese and lowest values

Question 15

immediacy of change

Answer 15

the degree to which behavior change occurs as soon as the intervention is introduced

Question 16

trend

Answer 16

a systematic rise or decline in the values of the scores

Question 17

hypothetical constructs

Answer 17

unobservable events or processes that are postulated to occur and that are said to explain behavior

usually lack explanatory power because they are grounded in the behavior that they are used to explain