topic 1 Flashcards
behaviour modification
field of psych concerned with analyzing and modifying behaviour.
behaviorist
studies overt (external) actions.
measurable dimensions of behaviour
frequency, duration, intensity, latency
frequency
how many times a behaviour occurs
duration
how long a behaviour continues to occur
intensity
how strongly a behaviour occurs
latency
how long it takes for the behaviour to occur from the time the stimulus occurs
characteristics of behaviour
it is measurable, it can be observed and recorded, it impacts the environment, is lawful, and can be both overt and covert
behavioral excess
undesirable behaviour you want to decrease
behavioral deficit
desirable behaviour you want to increase
experimental analysis of behavior
the scientific study of behaviour. originally developed from skinners experimental research.
applied behaviour analysis
the scientific study of how to help change that behaviour. specifically targeted at human behaviour
behaviour modification characteristics
- Focus on behaviour rather than a personal characteristic or trait
- procedures based on principles of behaviorism
- emphasis on current environmental events
- measure behaviour change
- no real focus on the past
- reject hypothetical underlying causes of behaviour
applied behavior analysis
a scientific approach that uses techniques and principles to improve or change behaviors. It focuses on understanding how behaviors are influenced by the environment and then applying strategies to teach new skills or reduce unwanted behaviors.
indirect assessment
measure target behaviour with interviews questionnaires . individuals can report their own behaviour
direct assessment
target behaviour is measured as it occurs. Observer can be the individual engaging in the behavior or another person
process of behavior assessment
- define target behaviour
- determine how the behaviour will be recorded
operational definition
description that specifies exactly how a term will be measured . must be precise, quantifiable, objective, unambiguous, practical, useful, and not reference internal states like emotions
independent observer
someone besides the person exhibiting the target behaviour
self monitoring
client observes and records own target behavior ( and is trained to do so)
remote monitoring
recording device (ex. camera)
structured observation period
involve arranging for specific events or situations to occur
unstructured observation periods
simply observe behaviour as it occurs without intervention
continuous recording
document every instance of the target behavior during the observation period
sample recording
aka discontinuous recording. document some of the occurrences of the target behaviour.
interval recording
record whether the target behavior occurs within certain time intervals
partial interval recording
measure whether a behavior occurs at any point during a specified time interval. In this method, the observation period is divided into small intervals, and the behavior is marked as occurring if it happens at any time during that interval, regardless of how long it lasts.
whole interval recording
observe whether a behavior occurs for the entire duration of a specified time interval
frequency within interval recording
measure how many times a behavior occurs during a specified observation interval. In this approach, you break the observation period into smaller intervals, and then count how many times the behavior happens within each of those intervals.
time sample recording
divide observation period into intervals of time but only observe the behavior during part of each interval . periods of observation separated by periods of no observation
momentary time sample recording
records behavior only if it occurs at the exact instant the interval ends
product recording
record tangible outcomes that result from the occurrence of the behaviour . not direct observation of the behavior itself.
natural settings
places in which the target behavior normally occurs. more representative sample of target behavior
artificial settings/analogue
places that are not a part of normal daily routine. more controlled environment. easier to manipulate variables
reactivity
refers to the change in a person’s behavior when they are aware that they are being observed or measured
interobserver agreement
a measure used in behavior analysis to assess the consistency between two or more observers who are recording the same behavior. It shows how much agreement there is between observers in identifying and measuring the occurrence of a behavior.
research method of behavior modification
- measure the dependent variable (target behavior
- manipulate the independent variable (environmental events/ treatment) and demonstrate a change in the target behaviour -> eliminate confounding variables
- repeat
A-B design
- A phase (Baseline): This is the initial phase where the behavior is observed and measured without any intervention, to understand its typical pattern.
- B phase (Intervention): This phase involves introducing an intervention or treatment to see if it has an effect on the behavior.
A-B-A-B reversal designs
- A phase (Baseline): The behavior is observed and measured without any intervention.
- B phase (Intervention): The intervention or treatment is introduced to see if it causes a change in behavior.
- A phase (Baseline): The intervention is withdrawn, and the behavior is observed again to see if it returns to baseline levels.
- B phase (Intervention): The intervention is reintroduced to see if the behavior changes again.
multiples baseline subjects
2+ subjects with the same target behaviour . treatment is staggered over time across subjects
multiple baseline behaviours
2+ behaviours of the same subject. treatment is staggered across behaviours
multiple baseline settings
2+ settings with the same subject and same target behaviour. Treatment is staggered across settings
alternating treatment designs
baseline/ treatment implemented on alternating days or sessions, for the same amount of time.
changing criterion designs
baseline and treatment phase. with in treatment phase, sequential performance criteria are specified. successive goal levels for target behavior.
1. Baseline Phase: The behavior is measured without intervention.
2. Intervention Phases: The intervention is introduced, but instead of a big, sudden change, small changes in the criteria for the behavior (such as a certain number of correct responses or a specific duration) are set at each phase.
3. Criteria Adjustments: As the behavior improves, the goal becomes more challenging in small steps, often aiming for a higher level of performance.
target behavior is gradually modified by changing criteria for reinfor
functional assessment
process used to understand the purpose or function that a behavior serves for an individual. It involves gathering information to identify the triggers (antecedents), the behavior itself, and the consequences that reinforce or maintain the behavior
antecedents
stimuli that alter the current probability of a behavior . behavior is more likely in their presence
consequence
reinforcers and punishers. strengthen or weaken a behavior . behavior is more or less likely in the future
assessing antecedents
when, where, and with whom, and in what circumstances or situations does the behavior occur.
three term contingency
A (antecedents) : B (behavior) -> C ( consequence)
assessing consequences
for both problem and alternative behaviors. assess social and environmental consequences. consider the schedule of reinforcement, magnitude of reinforcement, and immediacy of reinforcement.
types of functional analysis
exploratory functional analysis and hypothesis testing functional analysis
exploratory functional analysis
test a range of possible functions. no clear hypothesis about function, test range of multiple functions, test condition for each function, 1 control condition for all functions.
- identifies functions and rules out other functions
hypothesis testing functional analysis
test hypothesis from descriptive assessment. have a clear hypothesis from indirect and direct assessment, test and control condition for 1 function, identifies function. does not rule out other functions
