Unit 6 Flashcards
What does “behavioral variability” refer to?
Each response will vary along some dimension
Extrinsic variability
Assumption that behavioral variability is not inherent to the individual
Experimentation
Basic strategy to collect and test information about the world
Independent variable
The variable that is manipulated - An environmental event/condition or stimulus class
DV in Behavioral Analysis
Dimension of behavior or a response class
Experimentation basics
- Manipulate the independent variable
- Measure the dependent variable
- Control for all other factors (hold constant or eliminate)
Experimental Design
The specific arrangement of environmental conditions within an experiment
Goals of Experimental Design
To demonstrate a functional relation between the IV and the DV. To evaluate the effectiveness of interventions.
Experimental Control
When systematic changes in the environment result in predictable and orderly changes in behavior
Establishing Experimental Control
-Design and implement effective measurement procedures
-Select and manage environmental conditions
-Minimize effects of outside variables
Internal validity
Extent to which measured changes in the DV are attributable to the IV manipulation and not some other factor
External validity
Extent to which the results of a study extend to other individuals, settings, or behavior
Eight threats to internal validity (MIRTHSAD)
Maturation
Instrumentation
Regression towards the mean
Testing
History
Selection bias
Attrition
Diffusion of treatment
History
Other events or changes that coincide with the introduction of the IV that could also have an effect on behavior
Maturation
Natural developmental events or learning experiences that coincide with the introduction of the IV
Testing
When changes in the DV have come about as a function of repeated exposure to the environmental arrangement
Instrumentation
When changes in behavior may reflect changes in the measurement system rather than effects of the IV
Diffusion of treatment
Inadvertent, uncontrolled seepage of the treatment to control conditions or subjects
Regression towards the mean
Changes occurred because pre-intervention (baseline) measurement were not representative of the natural state of events
Selection Bias
Assignment of participants to groups May bias the outcome even in the absence of intervention
Self-selection bias
Individuals who are prone to show greater improvements may also be more likely to participate in the study
Attrition
Loss of participants over time that may influence the effects of a study
Extraneous variables
Events unrelated to the IV that may affect the DV
Controlling extraneous variables
-Eliminate them
-Hold them constant
-Investigate their influence
Eliminating extraneous variables
Getting rid of all extraneous factors
Hold extraneous variables constant
Ensure any extraneous variables are present across experimental conditions
Investigate extraneous variables
Look for their effect directly
Confounds
Uncontrolled variable known or suspected to exert influence on a dependent variable
Confounds related to experimental design
- Multiple treatment interference
-Sequence effects - Carryover effects
Multiple-treatment interference
When results of an analysis are affected by the specific combination of two or more treatments
Sequence effect is also known as
Order effects
Sequence effect
When changes in the dependent variable are attributable to the order of experimental conditions
Carryover Effects
When patterns of behavior established in one condition extend into a second condition even if the independent variables are very different
Cyclical variability
Repeated patterns of responding over time unrelated to the independent variable
Four types of analyses (questions)
Demonstrative
Parametric
Component
Comparative
Demonstrative analysis
Analysis that seeks to determine the extent to which an intervention is effective
Parametric analysis
Analysis of the effects of various levels of an independent variable on behavior
Parametric analysis examples
-The effects of differing values of a reinforcement schedule (FR1 vs FR10)
- comparisons of treatments at different strengths (brief time outs vs long time out)
