Observing And Recording Behaviour And Ethics

Question 1

Experimental analysis of behaviour (EAB)

Answer 1

• Dependant variable: rate or frequency of response is most commonly used
• within-subject design: an individuals response is compared to their own response in a different situation on at a different time
• between-subject design: compares experimental group to control group
• visual analysis of graphed data
• description of functional relations driven by data

Question 2

Screening/ intake phase

Answer 2

• Obtain client demographic information and reasons for seeking assistance
• establish if b-mod is the appropriate method for client
• inform client of policies and procedures
• screen for crisis condition (ie. Child abuse, suicide risk) requiring immediate intervention

Question 3

Preprogram assessment phase/baseline phase

Answer 3

• Defines and measures initial “baseline” level of behaviour before treatment is implemented

Question 4

Treatment phase

Answer 4

• Actively apply training, intervention, or treatment program

Question 5

Follow-up phase

Answer 5

• Determine effects on behaviour following termination of the treatment program

Question 6

Behavioural assessment

Answer 6

• Measuring the target behaviour of a client
  → measuring behaviour before treatment to determine if treatment is necessary/the best treatment plan
  → measuring target behaviour before and after treatment to determine behaviour change

Question 7

Indirect assessment

Answer 7

• Uses interviews, questionnaires, and rating scales to obtain information on the target behaviour
• does not occur when the target behaviour occurs but relies on an individual’s recall of the target behaviour
  → second or third hand remembered
  Information

Question 8

Direct assessment

Answer 8

• A person observes and records the target behaviour as it is occurring
• observer must have a precise definition of the target behaviour so that its occurrence can be distinguished from other behaviours

Question 9

Interobserver agreement/reliability or interrater reliability

Answer 9

• When two people independently observe the same behaviour and both record that the behaviour occurred
• can reveal biases of observer
• can be used to evaluate definition of target behaviour

Question 10

Observation period

Answer 10

• Specific period in which the observer records the target behaviour

Question 11

Natural setting

Answer 11

• Places in which the target behaviour typically occurs (eg. Student in classroom)
  → daily-routine, typical environment
• more likely to provide a representative sample of the target behaviour

Question 12

Analogue setting

Answer 12

• A setting that is not part of an individual’s daily routine (eg. Physician’s waiting room)
  → simulated location
• Less likely to provide a representative sample of a target behaviour
  → but is more controlled
  → variables are easier to manipulate

Question 13

Structured observation

Answer 13

• The observer arranges for specific events or activities to occur during the observation period

Question 14

Unstructured observation

Answer 14

• No specific events or activities are arranged and no instructions are given during the observation period

Question 15

Continuous/event recording

Answer 15

• Record every instance of client’s behaviour during the entire observation period
  → suitable if each response has similar duration and behaviour occurs at low rates

Question 16

Interval recording

Answer 16

• Record target behaviour within successive time intervals of equal duration
  → records whether behaviour occurred in the time interval
  → suitable for responses with variable duration or high rates

Question 17

Partial-interval recording

Answer 17

• Recording behaviour a maximum of once per interval regardless of how many times it occurred (only interested in whether the behaviour occurred at some the during the interval)
  → good for recording frequently occurring behaviours

Question 18

Whole-interval recording

Answer 18

• Record behaviour only if it persists during the entire interval
  → good for behaviours with long durations

Question 19

Frequent-within-interval recording

Answer 19

• Records the frequency of the target behaviour within consecutive intervals of time in the observation period
  → it is a continuous recording method

Question 20

Time sample recording

Answer 20

• Dividing the observation period into intervals of time but observing and recording the behaviour during only part of each interval
  → observation periods are separated by periods without observation

Question 21

Momentary time sampling recording

Answer 21

• Behaviour is recorded only if it occurs at the exact instant the interval ends

Question 22

Target behaviour

Answer 22

• The behaviour that you’re interested in changing (increasing or decreasing in frequency)
  → eg. Drinking more water

Question 23

Behavioural goal

Answer 23

• Level of the target behaviour that a program is designed to achieve
  → eg. Drinking 1 litre of water per day for five days a week

Question 24

Outcome goal

Answer 24

• Broad, abstract results that one wishes to attain (often recognized as important to society)
  → eg. To be healthy

Question 25

Frequency

Answer 25

• Number of responses in a given period of time (observation period)
  → rate is the frequency divided by the time of the observation period

Question 26

Duration

Answer 26

• length of time occupied by the behaviour from start to finish

Question 27

Real-time recording

Answer 27

• Exact time of onset and offset of the target behaviour is recorded
  → researchers have record of frequency and duration, as well as exact timing of each occurrence

Question 28

Latency

Answer 28

• Time between an antecedent stimulus or event, and the onset of behaviour

Question 29

Intensity/magnitude

Answer 29

• The amount of force, energy, or exertion involved in the behaviour

Question 30

Quality

Answer 30

• Arbitrary judgement of social value

Question 31

Operational definition

Answer 31

• A precise, objective definition of a term by specifying the operations done to measure it

Question 32

Data sheets

Answer 32

• Can record a behaviour’s frequency, duration, latency, or occurrence in intervals
  → Antecedants and consequences of behaviour can be recorded

Question 33

ABC observation data sheets

Answer 33

• Used to identify and record antecedents, behaviours, and consequences

Question 34

ABC observation checklists

Answer 34

• After antecedents and consequences have been identified, they can be more quickly recorded using a checklist

Question 35

Reactivity

Answer 35

• The process of recording the behaviour may cause the behaviour to change before any treatment
  is implemented
  → may not be representative of the behaviour occurring in the absence of the observer

Question 36

Program evaluation

Answer 36

• Used to determine sucessfulness
• dimensions of evaluation:
  → generalization: does the behaviour occur in different situations other than the training context
  → maintenance: how long does the behaviour remain altered
• potential problems:
  → side-effect: a result that is secondary to the active treatment
  → trade-off: forgoing a desired aspect to gain another desired aspect (cost vs benefit)
  → revenge-effect (perversive incentive): perversive, unintended consequences of treatment