02 Definition and Characteristics / 02.07 Dependent and Independent Variable, Internal Validity

Question 1

Baseline
should have a data collection procedure different than the treatment condition.
should continue if the data indicate a therapeutic trend.
should always be conducted.
(all of the others)

Answer 1

should continue if the data indicate a therapeutic trend.

If behavior is improving, there is no need to implement an intervention. It is contraindicated if conducting a baseline would put the client at an undue risk due to a delay of treatment. (Cooper, Heron, & Heward, 1987, pp. 151-154; Cooper, Heron, & Heward, 2007, p. 168)

Question 2

Select the independent variable.
	smiles
	prompt fading
	frequency of whining
	number of independent toothbrushing steps completed

Answer 2

prompt fading

Question 3

Select the independent variable.
	appropriate greetings
	verbal reprimand and response cost
	frequency of aggression directed toward peers
	frequency of prompted responses

Answer 3

verbal reprimand and response cost

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT a threat to internal validity.
	testing
	maturation
	generalization
	history

Answer 4

generalization

History, maturation, and testing are threats to internal validity. Generalization has to do with external validity (Cooper, Heron, & Heward, 2007, pp. 233-234; Tawney & Gast, 1984, pp. 91-93)

Question 5

Select the dependent variable.
	blocking
	mechanical restraint
	number of bite marks on skin
	shaping

Answer 5

number of bite marks on skin

Question 6

Internal validity addresses which question?
Will the results carry over to other individuals?
Are the procedures appropriate given the circumstances?
Is the behavior change due only to the intervention?
Will the results carry over to other settings?

Answer 6

Is the behavior change due only to the intervention?

An experiment is said to have internal validity if you could pinpoint the reason for the behavior change. (Cooper, Heron, & Heward, 1987, p. 147; Cooper, Heron, & Heward, 2007, p. 160; Sulzer-Azaroff & Mayer, 1991, p. 373; Tawney & Gast, 1984, p. 91)

Question 7

Select the independent variable.
	rate of public sexual behavior
	hand mouthing
	contingent loss of privileges
	percent of intervals in which independent mands (requests) occur

Answer 7

contingent loss of privileges

The independent variable is the behavior change procedure or set of procedures. (Cooper, Heron, & Heward, 2007, p. 129; Johnston & Pennypacker, 1980, pp. 27, 39-40, 119-144)

Question 8

Baseline
	should not be conducted if it is dangerous to do so.
	includes data collection.
	precedes planned treatment.
	(all of the others)

Answer 8

all others.

Question 9

History as a threat to internal validity refers to
	changes within the individual.
	influence of multiple test taking.
	events that occur during an experiment.
	cyclic changes in the data.

Answer 9

events that occur during an experiment.

Question 10

Select the dependent variable.
	differential reinforcement of other behavior
	response cost
	duration of tantrum episode
	punishment

Answer 10

duration of tantrum episode

Question 11

Select the independent variable.
number of aggressive acts
number of correct responses on math test
frequency of self-injury
differential reinforcement of alternative behavior

Answer 11

differential reinforcement of alternative behavior

Question 12

Select the independent variable.
	rate of independent mands (requests)
	blocking
	frequency of public sexual behavior
	duration of hand mouthing

Answer 12

blocking

Question 13

Baseline
	provides a comparison condition.
	is what is going on prior to planned intervention.
	could include an intervention.
	(all of the others)

Answer 13

All others

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT a threat to internal validity.
	maturation
	unexpected results
	"bootleg" reinforcement
	attrition

Answer 14

unexpected results

Unexpected results are NOT a threat to internal validity. (cf. Cooper, Heron, & Heward, 2007, p. 233; Tawney & Gast, 1984, pp. 91-93)

Question 15

Select the dependent variable.
	positive reinforcement
	positive practice
	frequency of safe bike riding
	extinction

Answer 15

frequency of safe bike riding

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT a threat to internal validity.
	multiple intervention interference
	maintenance
	instability
	loss of participants

Answer 16

Maintenance.

MATURATION-changes within the individual that occur during the experiment
SETTING CONFOUNDS-uncontrolled aspects of the natural environment
TESTING-repeated testing
PROCEDURAL (TREATMENT) INTEGRITY-treatment not being implemented as planned; including procedural drift, which occurs when implementation of a procedure deteriorates over time
LOSS OF SUBJECTS-participants drop out (attrition)
MULTIPLE INTERVENTION INTERFERENCE-interaction of multipletreatments
INSTABILITY-variability in behavior
INTERVENING WHEN BEHAVIOR CHANGES-coincidence
INSTRUMENTATION-inaccurate measurement by devices or human observers
(Cooper, Heron, & Heward, 2007, pp. 232-237; Tawney & Gast, 1984, pp. 91-93)