Chp 2

Question 1

Functional variables

Answer 1

Affects behavior in a reliable & systematic way. Experiments. We turn the FV ‘on’ or ‘off’ to change behavior

Question 2

Dependent Variable

Answer 2

Variable: Things that aren’t the same each time. Things that can be changed.
Behavior is a dependent variable bc it’s the objectively measured target behavior

Question 3

Causation & correlation

Answer 3

If 2 variables are positively correlated the tend to occur together.
Correlation doesn’t imply causation. Correlation tells us nothing about causation, only an experiment tells if a functional relation exists.
All causal relations are correlated but not all correlations reveal causal relations

Question 4

3 components of behavioral experiment

Answer 4

1. Behavior is the dependent variable
2. The experiment is a falsifiable hypothesis (can be proven wrong)
3. The experiment is a manipulation of the independent variable

Question 5

Self reports

Answer 5

One asks the individual to recall if they have engaged in the behavior.
Self reports aren’t always truthful and they rely on flawed memory process.

Question 6

Direct observation

Answer 6

Behavior is recorded as the behavior occurs, or a lasting product of the behavior is recorded at a later time. (Fitbit steps)

Question 7

Behavioral definition

Answer 7

A precise specification of the topography (physical form) of the target behavior, allowing observers to relatively identify instances and non-instances. Data collection is objective and not subjected to bias.
(Could a robot use this definition w no other info to make accurate observations)

Question 8

Social validity

Answer 8

A behavioral definition has SV when the consumer of the intervention or an expert in the field I dictated that the behavioral def accurately reflects the behavior of interest. Assess SV before the study begins.

Question 9

Inter observer agreement (IOA)

Answer 9

The agreement between observers. The extent to which 2 independent observers’ data are the same after having directly observed the same behavior at the same time. If IOA is below 90% it needs refinement. IOA doesn’t assess accuracy or reliability, it assesses believability

Question 10

4 dimensions of behavior

Answer 10

Frequency: response count divided by time or opportunity to respond (i.e. rate is 20/20= 1 response per min)
latency: the interval of time between the opportunity to respond and the response itself. How long it takes for a behavior to be initiated
duration: the interval of time between the start and end of the behavior. How long the behavior lasts from start to finish
magnitude: the force or intensity of a behavior. (I.e. inside vs outside voice, soft vs hard touch)

Question 11

4 direct observation methods

Answer 11

1. Outcome recording
2. Event recording
3. Interval recording
4. Duration recording

Question 12

Reactivity

Answer 12

Behavior changes bc the individual is aware they’re being watched

Question 13

Outcome recording

Answer 13

Observers record the distinct, observable, and lasting products of behavior, instead of the behavior itself. The behavior must produce a distinct observable product every time is occurs. Should be used first.

Question 14

Event recording

Answer 14

Each instance of behavior is recorded at the moment it occurs. Useful when we’re interested in frequency or magnitude of behavior. (Umpire keeps a count of strikes). Event recording can only be used when the duration of each response is the same each time the behavior occurs

Question 15

Interval recording

Answer 15

The behavior is observed during back to back intervals of time. It doesn’t record the # of times the behavior occurs, but simply if the behavior occurred or not. The % of intervals containing the behavior provided frequency. Interval recording is best with frequency study.

Question 16

Partial- interval recording

Answer 16

A direct observation method used to estimate how frequently a behavior occurs. Observers record whether or not the behavior occurs during any portion of each in a series of contiguous intervals.
Behavior observed over continuous back to back intervals, each interval is brief w fixed duration, if behavior happens in interval it’s positive interval. The final result is % of positive intervals

Question 17

Whole- interval recording

Answer 17

Direct observation method used to estimate how frequently behaviors occurs. Observers record whether or not the behavior occurs throughout each in a series of contiguous intervals.
To record a positive interval the behavior has to occur throughout the entire interval. The target behavior measured should be long lasting

Question 18

Duration recording

Answer 18

When measuring either latency or duration of behavior. (I.e. studying runners in 100m race. Latency to leave the blocks after the gun and duration of the race)