Chapter 3 - Methods for Observations

Question 1

Counting the occurrence of instances of behavior is called [a] recording; observing a behavior for a brief time several times a day is called [b] recording.

Answer 1

event; time sample

Question 2

When John counted the number of times during the lecture that his English professor split his infinitives, he was using what method of direct observation? __________

Answer 2

recording event

Question 3

What two methods involve dividing the period of observation into smaller units of time? [a] and [b] recording

Answer 3

interval;time sample

Question 4

The checklist covering the results of cleaning behavior used by Feallock and Miller (1976) would be an example of what method of observation? __________

Answer 4

recording outcome

Question 5

A racing heart, racing feet, racing thoughts, and racing words are all activities that people do. Therefore they are all called __________ by behavior analysts.

Answer 5

behavior

Question 6

The method of observation that involves the results of behavior rather than the behavior itself is called __________ recording.

Answer 6

outcome

Question 7

To discover the level of violence of a TV show, you might note how many 15-second intervals contain some form of violence. You would be using what method of observation? __________ recording

Answer 7

interval

Question 8

David Lombard observed whether swimmers wore a shirt, got in the shade, wore a hat, sunglasses, zinc oxide, and sunscreen lotion. What method of observation did he use? __________ recording

Answer 8

event

Question 9

Maria checked on her son 10 times an evening, at randomly selected times, to whether he was studying. What method of observation was she using?

Answer 9

time sample

Question 10

What questions can you ask to decide the method of observation that is being used?

Answer 10

Does it use an interval? Does it use continuous intervals? Does it observe results?

Question 11

Heddy watched Family A for 15 seconds to see if they dropped litter; she then turned to Family B and watched them for 15 seconds; she also watched Families C and D each for 15 seconds. Every minute she would return to Family A and start the routine over again. To observe family A, she was using what method of observation? __________ recording

Answer 11

time sample

Question 12

Event recording is based on counting __________ of the behavior.

Answer 12

instances

Question 13

When the Bakers checked the their son’s room every day to see whether it had been cleaned, they were using what method of direct observation? __________ recording

Answer 13

outcome

Question 14

Behavior analysis studies [a] events that [b] behavior.

Answer 14

public;cause

Question 15

The observation of whether or not a behavior occurs during a series of continuous intervals is called __________ recording.

Answer 15

interval

Question 16

If you immediately note the number of times that you say something positive to another person during the day, you are using what method of observation? __________ recording

Answer 16

event

Question 17

The observation of behavior during a series of discontinuous intervals is called __________ recording

Answer 17

time sample

Question 18

If a mother wanted to find out how much of the class period her child spent studying in math class, she might go to the school and observe whether her child was studying during each 20-second period during the math class. She would be using what method of observation?

Answer 18

interval

Question 19

Walker and Buckley (1968)analyzed the study behavior of a fourth grader by writing down anytime he was “looking at the assigned page, working problems, and recording responses.” This statement would be called a behavioral definition because it describes what to __________.

Answer 19

observe

Question 20

One of the behavior analysts observed John’s study behavior in spelling. He noted when John was studying during a 15-second interval every 5 minutes. The behavior analyst had other chores during the rest of the 5 minutes when he was not observing John. What method of observation was the behavior analyst using?

Answer 20

time sample

Question 21

Define time sample. Explain how it differs from interval recording.

Answer 21

You record a response during discontinuous intervals. Interval recording uses intervals that are continuous.

Question 22

The method that involves observation of behavior during continuous periods of time is called __________ recording.

Answer 22

interval

Question 23

When a teacher gives a written test, he or she is using the method of observation called __________ recording.

Answer 23

outcome

Question 24

Outcome recording, event recording, and interval recording all involve trained observers writing down their observations as they make them. Therefore, they follow the principle of __________.

Answer 24

direct observation

Question 25

When Dee observed the number of times any child struck another child at the alternative school, she was using what method of observation? __________ recording

Answer 25

event

Question 26

Outcome recording is based on observing a(n) __________ of behavior, rather than the behavior itself.

Answer 26

result

Question 27

Lindsley (1968) recommended the use of a simple wrist counter so that people could count the number of cigarettes they smoked, the number of smiles, and so on. These would be examples of _________ recording.

Answer 27

event

Question 28

Willie observed his political science professor during 30-second intervals over a whole 50 minute period. He noted each 30-interval during which his professor talked to the pretty blond. He was using what technique of direct observation? __________ recording

Answer 28

interval

Question 29

Time sample recording involves the observation of behavior during a series of brief intervals that are _________ with one another.

Answer 29

discontinuous

Question 30

Being a bit of a gossip, you want to know what percentage of the time John has a girlfriend in his room. To find out, you briefly check once every hour to see whether she is there. You study the rest of the time. You are using what method of observation? __________ recording

Answer 30

time sample

Question 31

Both outcome recording and event recording observe uniform behavior. Explain the major difference between them

Answer 31

Outcome recording observes results (after) while event recording observes instances (during) the behavior.