Chapter 7: Analyzing Behavior Change: Basic Assumptions And Strategies Flashcards
Dependent variable
The variable in an experiment measured to determine if it changes as a result of manipulations of the other variable
Experimental control
A predictable change in behavior can be reliably produced by the systematic manipulation of some aspect of the person’s environment; also, the extent to which each experimenter maintains precise control of the independent variable
Experimental design
The particular type and sequence of conditions in a study so that meaningful comparisons of the effects of the presence and absence of the independent variable can be made
Experimental question
A brief but specific statement of what the researcher wants to learn from conducting the experiment
External validity
The degree to which a study’s findings have generality to other subjects, settings, and/or behaviors
Extraneous variable
Any aspect of the experimental setting that must be held constant to prevent unplanned environmental variation
Independent variable
The variable that is systematically manipulated by the researcher in an experiment
Internal validity
The extent to which an experiment shows convincingly that changes in behavior are a function of the independent variable and not the result of uncontrolled or unknown variables
Parametric analysis
An experiment designed to discover the differential effects of a range of values of the independent variable
Single-subject designs
Experimental designs that use a form of experimental reasoning called baseline logic to demonstrate the effects of the independent variable on the behavior of individual subjects
A-B design
An experimental design consisting of a pre-treatment baseline condition followed by a treatment condition
Affirmation of the consequent
A three-step for, of reasoning that begins with a true antecedent-consequent statement and proceeds as follows: 1. If A is true, then B is true 2. B is found to be true 3. Therefore, A is true
Ascending baseline
Baseline data that show an increasing trend in behavior
Baseline
A condition of an experiment in which the independent variable is not present; the basis for determining the effects of the independent variable
Baseline logic
The reasoning inherent in single-subject experimental designs, entailing prediction, verification, and replication and an overall experimental approach of steady star strategy
Descending baseline
Baseline data that show a decreasing trend in the response measure over time
Practice effects
The improvements in performance resulting from repeated opportunities to emit the behavior so that baseline measurements can be obtained
Prediction
A statement of the anticipated outcome of a presently unknown or future measurement
Replication
Repeating conditions within an experiment to determine the reliability of effects and increase internal validity
Stable baseline
Baseline data that show no evidence of an upward or downward trend, and all of the measures fall within a small range of values
Steady state responding
A pattern of responding that exhibits relatively little variation in its measured dimensional qualities over a period of time
Steady state strategy
Repeatedly exposing a subject to a given condition while trying to eliminate or control, any extraneous influences on the behavior and obtaining a stable pattern of responding before introducing the next condition
Variable baseline
Baseline data that do not consistently fall within a narrow range of values and do not suggest any clear trend
Verification
Demonstrating that the prior level of baseline responding would have remained unchanged had the independent variable not been introduced
