Quiz 3 (Ch. 4) Flashcards
What does a trend mean?
An uncontrolled variable is producing learning (reinforcement, punishment, extinction)
3 types of trends
- Descending: bx in transition; extinction, punishment, or a competing bx
- Ascending: bx is increasing; reinforcement or MO is stronger
- Level: not increasing or decreasing
Rules about tx intro
Don’t start tx to increase a bx when bx is increasing. Same with decreasing.
2 reasons to intro a tx when a bx is increasing or decreasing already
- Bx requires immediate change
- Up against a hard deadline
2 factors that influence tx intro when it’s trending in the desired direction
- Tx should produce an exceeding change
- The effect needed to make a difference would exceed the slight trend
2 reasons why a baseline in transition would return to original level
- Presence of a variable producing a transitory state
- Uncontrolled variable was present
You can intro a tx to reduce a bx frequency if the baseline shows an increasing trend, and you can intro a tx to increase a bx frequency if the baseline shows a decreasing trend. Under what circumstances might this be imprudent?
When you suspect the treatment may not be able to improve upon the initial level of the behavior shown at the start of the trend
What effect do practical considerations play in deciding to decrease a bx with a decreasing trend?
Whether it would do harm to the participant if you waited
2 patterns of baseline instability
- Varies over a wide range of values
- Varies over 2 or 3 discrete levels
What is a level change?
Sudden change in the level of a stable baseline to a new stable level w/o any data points in b/t
Why is it important to distinguish b/t a trend and a level change?
It could help you ID the variable responsible for the change in bx
3 explanations for a change in level
- MO has increased or decreased
- A new rule governed bx has emerged
- Possible one trial or rapid learning has taken place
What to suspect w/level change
A powerful uncontrolled variable present during some session and not during others (e.g., different clinicians on different days)
What is it inappropriate to use a broken scale for the DV?
Deceptive, absolute values are always more informative
Stability level/effect size detection rule
The more stable the data, the smaller the effect size you can detect
Tx effect size/baseline stability rule
The larger the tx effect, the less stable the baseline trends need to be for detection
High level of variability in a baseline
There are many uncontrolled variables or one powerful uncontrolled variable that varies intensity day-to-day
High level of stability in baseline
The most important variables are under control, or the major variable in effect is very strong
Cycling bx
Repeating pattern of variation in the amount of bx over time
Possible causes of cycling bx
Repeated changes in schedules of tasks, people, activities, or time of day that vary over time
