Chapter 2 - Observations and Recordings

Question 1

Behavioral Assessment

Answer 1

Measurement of the target behavior in behavior modification

Question 2

What does measuring the behavior before treatment provide?

Answer 2

Information that can help you determine whether treatment is necessary

Question 3

Indirect Assessment

Answer 3

Using interviews, questionnaires, and rating scales to obtain information on the target behavior fro the person exhibiting the behavior or from others

Question 4

Direct Assessment

Answer 4

• A person observes and records the target behavior as it occurs
• Most common

Question 5

Why is direct assessment preferred over indirect assessment?

Answer 5

It is usually more accurate because the observer is trained specifically to observe the target behavior and record its occurrence immediately while indirect assessment relies on people’s memories

Question 6

Steps to develop a behavior recording plan

Answer 6

1. Defining the target behavior
2. Determining the logistics of recording
3. Choosing a recording method
4. Choosing a recording instrument

Question 7

Interobserver agreement or Interobserver reliability

Answer 7

Two people independently observe the same behavior and both record that the behavior ocurred

Question 8

Self-monitoring

Answer 8

The client observes and records his or her own target behavior

Question 9

Observation period

Answer 9

The observer records the target behavior in a specific period

Question 10

Natural setting

Answer 10

Consists of places in which the target behavior typically occurs

Question 11

Analogue setting

Answer 11

• Setting that is not in the daily life of the client

- researchers often simulate events that are likely to occur in natural settings

Question 12

Structured observations

Answer 12

The observer arranges for specific events or activities to occur during the observation period

Question 13

Unstructured observations

Answer 13

No specific events or activities are arranged and no instructions are given during the observation period

Question 14

When is self-monitoring used?

Answer 14

the client may be able to observe and record the target behavior throughout the day and may not be constrained by a specific observation period

Question 15

Continuous Recording

Answer 15

The observer observes the client continuously throughout the observation period and records each occurrence of the behavior

Question 16

Frequency

Answer 16

the number of times the behavior occurs in an observation period

Question 17

Duration

Answer 17

the total amount of time occupied by the behavior from start to finish

Question 18

Real-time recording

Answer 18

Method in which the exact time of each onset and offset of the target behavior is recorded

Question 19

Intensity

Answer 19

The amount of force, energy and exertion involved in it

Question 20

Latency

Answer 20

The time form some stimulus or event to the onset of the behavior

Question 21

Baseline

Answer 21

The period during which the target behavior is recorded before treatment is implemented

Question 22

Percentage of Opportunities

Answer 22

The observer records the occurrence of a behavior in relation to some other event, such as learning trial or a response opportunity, and reports the results as the percentage of opportunities in which the behavior occurred

Question 23

Product recording (permanent product recording)

Answer 23

An indirect assessment method that can be used when a behavior results in a certain tangible outcome that you are interested in

Question 24

Benefit of product recording

Answer 24

The observer does not have to be present when the behavior occurs

Question 25

Drawback of product recording

Answer 25

You cannot always determine who engaged in the behavior that led to the product you recorded

Question 26

Partial-interview recording

Answer 26

The observer scores the interval if the behavior occurred during any part of the interval

Question 27

Whole-interval recording

Answer 27

The occurrence of the behavior is marked in an interval only when the behavior occurs throughout the entire interval

Question 28

Frequency-within-interval recording

Answer 28

The observer records the frequency of the target behavior but does so within consecutive intervals of time in the observation period

Question 29

Time sample recording

Answer 29

- Divide the observation period into intervals of time, but you observe and record the behavior during only part of each interval

Question 30

Momentary time sample recording (MTS)

Answer 30

Behavior is recorded only if it occurs at the exact instant the interval ends

Question 31

Recording instruments

Answer 31

- What the observer uses to register or make a permanent product of the occurrence of the behavior - Regardless of instrument used the one characteristic of all behavior recording procedures is that the person observes the behavior and records it immediately

Question 32

What are the two things that a recording must be?

Answer 32

Immediate and Practical

Question 33

Reactivity

Answer 33

- The process of recording a behavior can cause a behavior to change, even before any treatment is implemented - The risk of reactivity can be minimized by waiting until the client gets accustomed to the observer

Question 34

Interobserver Agreement (IOA)

Answer 34

Determines whether the target behavior is being recorded consistently

Question 35

How do you evaluate IOA

Answer 35

Two people independently observe and record the same target behavior of the same subject during the same observation period

Question 36

Target Behavior

Answer 36

Identifying exactly what the person says or does that constitutes the behavioral excess or behavioral deficit targeted the change

Question 37

What should the behavioral definition include?

Answer 37

Active verbs describing the behavior the person exhibits

Question 38

What methods can you use to record the target behavior?

Answer 38

Continuous recording of the frequency, duration, latency, or magnitude of the behavior; percentage of opportunity recording; product recording; interval recording; or time sample recording

Question 39

Continuous Recording

Answer 39

observer observes the client continuously throughout the observation period and records each occurrence of the behavior

Question 40

Interval and time sample recording have what in common?

Answer 40

- observation period is divided into a number of smaller time periods of intervals and the behavior is recorded as occurring or not occurring within each interval - Level of the behavior is reported as the percentage of intervals in which the behavior occurred

Question 41

Interval recording

Answer 41

Consecutive time periods, and with time sample recording, the intervals are separated by periods without observation

Question 42

Tools of Indirect Assessment

Answer 42

1. Interviews 2. Questionnaires 3. Rating Scales 4. Product Measures

Question 43

Product Measures

Answer 43

Things that a person does that can measure their behavior. For example, a person with terrets clears their throat and the observer counts how many times they do so

Question 44

Defining the Target Behavior

Answer 44

- Avoid Labels - No inferences about internal states or motivations. You cannot be sure about other people without them directly expressing their feelings