Mod 9: JPG Chapter 9 - Behavioral Variability Flashcards
Variation in features of responding within a single response class as well as variations in the summary measures of that class is referred to as:
behavioral variability
extrinsic variability
intersubject variability
intrinsic variability
behavioral variability
When examining behavioral variability, the greatest detail can be found by:
summarizing the responding that occurs during each session into a single value
looking at the distribution of individual responses over time during an observation period
comparing simultaneous but independent observations from two or more observers
summarizing measures of responding across individual sessions
looking at the distribution of individual responses over time during an observation period
What does it mean to propose that variability in behavior is intrinsic?
Variability in behavior is a result of biological and environmental influences.
Variability is inherent in organisms and cannot be influenced by environmental factors.
Variability is describable, explainable and predictable.
Variability is a description of covert behaviors and events.
Variability is inherent in organisms and cannot be influenced by environmental factors.
The position that variability is ______________ encourages researchers and practitioners to minimize the contribution of extraneous factors to reduce variability.
extrinsic
What are the three general functions served by behavioral variability?
motivates investigator curiosities; guides experimental/clinical decisions; brings the investigator’s behavior under control of the subject matter
guides experimental/clinical decisions; provides foundation for interpretations; motivates investigator curiosities
guides experimental/clinical decisions; provides foundation for interpretations; motivates investigator curiosities
While eliminating extraneous variables to help manage behavioral variability has many advantages, it can also be problematic. All of the following are disadvantages associated with this tactic, EXCEPT:
It can cause difficulties in attempting to make any generalizations.
It limits the possibility of serendipitous discoveries.
It creates an artificial condition that may not be representative of the real environment.
It is so difficult to do that the investigator’s time is often better spent on other issues.
It is so difficult to do that the investigator’s time is often better spent on other issues.
What are three kinds of biological influences on variability in behavior?
environmental effects on body functions, cyclic physiological processes, and intelligence
developmental processes, intelligence, and environmental effects on body functions
cyclic physiological processes, developmental processes, and environmental effects on body functions
intelligence, cyclic physiological processes, and developmental processes
cyclic physiological processes, developmental processes, and environmental effects on body functions
An experiment that compares two different groups of subjects, one of which experiences the independent variable and the other of which does not experience the independent variable, is a _________________ design:
Group of answer choices
within-subject
single-subject
reversal
between-groups
between-groups
What is the problem for the study of behavior with using data from groups of subjects who are exposed to either the control or experimental condition alone?
There is no problem in using this form of experimental design.
There is an increased risk of having sequence effects alter responding.
It leads to data that mixes behavioral variability with intersubject variability.
It increases the likelihood that the group will behave in ways not anticipated by the researcher.
It leads to data that mixes behavioral variability with intersubject variability.
The _______________________ is the only source of variability whose impact is intentional and the primary focus of interpretation.
[Hint: 2 words]
independent variable
The phrase _________________ refers to how researchers arrange comparisons between control and experimental conditions to permit inferences about any effects independent variables may have on responding.
sequence effect
between-group design
experimental design
within-subject design
experimental design
A(n) ___________________ is an effect of a participant’s behavior resulting from exposure to a prior condition.
sequence effect
response product
episode
reversal effect
sequence effect
The traditional assumption is that variability is _________________ to the nature of organisms.
external
intrinsic
internal
extrinsic
intrinsic
Controlling extraneous factors to reduce behavioral variability is necessary in order to be sure that any change in responding during a particular phase is due only to the ____________________________.
[Hint: 2 words]
independent variable
If variability is extrinsic, that means that it would be due to ____________________ circumstances affecting behavior.
external
