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Psyc 281 - Principles of Behaviour > Week 2: Research Methods > Flashcards

Week 2: Research Methods Flashcards

1
Q

Variable

A

Characteristic of a person, place, or thing that can vary over time or from one situation to another

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2
Q

Independent Variable

A

Aspect of the experiment that is made to systematically vary across the different conditions. Manipulated.

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3
Q

Dependent Variable

A

Aspect of an experiment that is allowed to vary freely to see if its affected by changes in the independent variable. Usually some type of behaviour.

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4
Q

Functional Relationship

A

Relationship between changes in an IV and changes in a DV

Cause and effect relationship

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5
Q

Stimulus

A

Any event that can potentially influence behaviour

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6
Q

Response

A

Particular instance of behaviour. Often a category of responses.

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7
Q

Overt

A

Observable behaviour.

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8
Q

Covert

A

Can only be perceived by the person performing the behaviour. Private events or behaviours.

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9
Q

Appetitive Stimulus

A

An event an organism will seek out.

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10
Q

Aversive Stimulus

A

An event an organism will avoid.

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11
Q

Motivating Operations

A

Any procedure that affects the appetitiveness or aversiveness of an event.

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12
Q

Establishing Operation

A

Procedure that increases the appetitiveness or aversiveness of an event. Ex: Depravation increasing appetitive value of food.

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13
Q

Abolishing Operation

A

Procedure that decreases the appetitiveness or aversiveness of an event. Ex: Satiation.

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14
Q

Contiguity

A

Closeness, or nearness.

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15
Q

Temporal Contiguity

A

Extent to which events occur close together in time. Ex: thunder and lightening.

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16
Q

Spatial Contiguity

A

Extent to which events are situated close to each other in space. Ex: Dogs learning a knock means someones at the door sooner than learning a bell means someones at the door.

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17
Q

Behavioural Definitions should:

A

Be unambigious
Objective - observable
So shift in behaviour is because of treatment, not because of shift in definition.

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18
Q

Rate of Response

A

The frequency in which a response occurs in a certain period of time.
Ex: # of smokes per day.

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19
Q

Cumulative Recorder

A

Device that measures the total number of response over time, provides graphic depiction of rate of behaviour. Like lie detector test.

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20
Q

Intensity

A

Force or magnitude of a behaviour. Ex: amount of saliva.

21
Q

Duration

A

Length of time that an individual repeatedly or continuously performs a behaviour.
Ex: Amount of time spent studying.

22
Q

Speed

A

The length of time it takes for an episode of behaviour to occur from start to finish.
Ex: time to finish a maze.

23
Q

Latency

A

Length of time required for a behaviour to begin.

Ex: Athlete’s reaction to starting pistol.

24
Q

Interval Recording & Pro

A

Measurement of whether or not a behaviour occurs during each interval within a series of continuous intervals.
Pro: Don’t need to record every response, good if can’t detect official start or end of behaviour (argument).

25
Q

Time-Sample Recording & Pro

A

Measuring whether or not a behaviour occurs during each interval in a series of discontinuous intervals.
Pro: Time efficient, provides good approximation.

26
Q

Topography

A

Physical form of behaviour.

Ex: left or right arm used to press lever.

27
Q

Number of Errors

A

Ex: number of wrong turns made in maze

28
Q

How to asses reliability, and adequate score:

A

Interobserver reliability - 2 or more observers, calculate agreed upon intervals divided by total intervals.
Adequate: 80%, preferred: 90%.

29
Q

Descriptive Research

A

Gathering information about a behaviour and the circumstances within which it occurs. No manipulation.

30
Q

Naturalistic Observation & Con

A

Systematically observing and recording the occurrence of a behaviour in its natural environment.
Con: Unsure of what variable influenced behaviour - no control of environment.

31
Q

Experimental Research

A

One or more variables are systematically varied to determine their effect on dependent variables.

32
Q

Group Designs

A

Manipulates one or more IV across a group of subjects. Involves random assignment to either a control group or experimental group and compare differences.

33
Q

Factorial Design

A

One examines the effects of two or more IVs across groups of subjects. Ex: different age groups and food.

34
Q

Comparative Design

A

Group of species constitutes one of the independent variables. Testing evolutionary hypothesis between species.

35
Q

Pros and Cons of Group Designs

A

Pros: Good for assessing average effects of certain variables, strict control of environment, random assignment allows for good distribution of characteristics.
Cons: Requires large numbers, focuses on average performance ignoring special cases or other possibilities, results assessed at end of experiment leaving little flexibility to alter if negative.

36
Q

Single-Subject Designs

A

One individual or a few subjects.

37
Q

Simple-Comparison Design

A

Behaviour in baseline condition compared to behaviour in a treatment condition (AB).

38
Q

Cons of of Simple-Comparison Design

A

Does not control of other events acting on dependent variables so only provides a suggestion, not a functional relationship.
Reactivity can occur - skews results.
Only a suggestion.

39
Q

Baseline

A

Normal frequency of behaviour that occurs before any intervention.
Measure for several days - several weeks is ideal.
“A” component.

40
Q

Reversal Design

A

Consists of repeated alternations between a baseline phase and a treatment phase.

41
Q

Pros of Reversal Design

A 
Can prove functional relationship. 
Entire experiment with one subject. 
Statistical tests aren't needed. 
Can replicate with another subject. 
Can asses effectiveness - can modify (ABCAC)
42
Q

Cons of Reversal Design

A

If baseline behaviour doesn’t return - end of experiment.
Ethically inappropriate to remove effective treatment
Inappropriate when testing long-term effects.

43
Q

Multiple-Baseline Design

A

Treatment instituted at successive points in time for two or more persons, settings, behaviours.

44
Q

Pros of Mult-Base-Design

A

No ethical concerns - not removing treatment.
Can prove functional relationship.
Appropriate for permanent changes.

45
Q

Cons of Mult-Base-Design

A

Requires more than one person, setting, or behaviour.

Treatment might generalize before planned timing.

46
Q

Changing-Criterion Design

A

Effect of treatment is demonstrated by how closely s behaviour matches a criterion that is being systematically altered.
Good for gradual or permanent change.
Can raise criterion to strengthen.

47
Q

Pros of using animals in behavioural research

A

Can control genetic makeup and learning history.
Can better control experimental environment.
Can perform more tests without violating ethics than humans.

48
Q

Criticisms of using animals in behavioural research

A

Not similar enough to humans to generalize information.

Morally wrong - they have the same rights as humans.

Psyc 281 - Principles of Behaviour (12 decks)

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