Quiz 3 Questions Flashcards
What does a trend in the data mean?
Usually an uncontrolled variable is present which is producing learning.
Could be the result of reinforcement, punishment or extinction.
What are the three types of trends and what does each mean?
a. Descending means the person’s behavior is in transition perhaps the behavior is extinguishing, is being punished or they are learning to engage in a competing behavior,
b. Ascending means the behavior is increasing, means the person is learning to engage in the behavior through positive or negative reinforcement or the motivating operation is stronger.
c. Level, the behavior is neither increasing or decreasing.
What are the general rules about introducing a treatment when the baseline is increasing or decreasing?
It is recommended that you do not introduce a treatment to increase a behavior that is showing an increasing trend, or to introduce a treatment to decrease a behavior showing a decreasing trend.
What are two practical considerations that might compel you to introduce a treatment when the baseline shows a trend in the direction you would like to change the behavior?
The behavior requires immediate change. You are up against a hard deadline like the end of the school year for a classroom study.
What are two methodological factors that can influence whether you would be willing to introduce a treatment when baseline data shows a slight trend in the same direction as the desired change?
The treatment should produce a change that would greatly exceed the slight trend. The treatment effect required to make a difference would greatly exceeds the slight trend.
What are two reasons why a baseline in transition would return to its original level?
A variable producing a transitory state is present or an uncontrolled variable was present for a period of time.
It is often said you can introduce a treatment to reduce a behaviors frequency if the baseline shows an increasing trend, and you can introduce a treatment to increase a behavior 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 behavior with an increasing trend?
You have to consider whether it would do harm to the participant if you waited.
What are two patterns of baseline instability?
The behavior varies over a wide range of values, vs it varies over two or three discrete levels.
What is a level change?
A sudden change in the level of a stable baseline to a new stable level without any data points in between those two levels.
Why is it important to distinguish between a trend and a level change?
It could help you identify the variable responsible for the change in behavior.
What are three possible explanations for a change in the level of the baseline?
a. A motivating operation has either increased or decreased.
b. A new rule governed behavior has emerged
c. Possible one trial or rapid learning has taken place.
What should you suspect if the baseline varies between two discrete levels with little or no points in between?
This pattern suggests a very powerful uncontrolled variable is present during some session and not during others. Perhaps different people working with a client on different days.
Why is it almost always inappropriate to use a broken scale for the DV?
Broken scales are deceptive. Absolute values are always more informative.
What is the stability level/effective size detection rule?
The more stable the data the smaller the effect size you can detect.
