Week 3 - Behavioural Observation

Question 1

What is behavioural assessment?

Answer 1

Observations of the client’s behaviour:
- situational determinants and context

Question 2

ABCs

Answer 2

Antecedent (trigger), behaviour, consequence

Question 3

Examples of behavioural observation (4)

Answer 3

• Physiological observations (sweating, shaking)
• facial expressions
• body language
• eye contact

Question 4

MSE

Answer 4

Mental Status Examination
- semi-structured behavioural assessment. Assesses client’s current mental, cognitive and behavioural condition.
1. appearance
2. behaviour
3. cognition
4. mood/affect
5. motor function
6. thought process
7. thought content
8. speech
9. perception
10. insight
11. judgement
12. orientation

Question 5

Target behaviour

Answer 5

Measure behaviour by when, where, how often and how long?

Question 6

ABC: Antecedents (triggers)

Answer 6

• thoughts and emotions
• physiological cues eg. anxiety, trauma
  The action or event that led up to the behaviour

Question 7

Key assumptions (7)

Answer 7

1. directness (observe exact actions)
2. specificity (use specific terms)
3. contextual consideration (environmental factors)
4. functional perspective (what functions does this serve?)
5. objective measurement (not subjective)
6. idiographic approach (assess individuals uniquely)
7. dynamic process (behaviour changes over time)

Question 8

What are the three types of observation

Answer 8

1. controlled observation
2. naturalistic observation
3. self-monitoring

Question 9

Controlled observation + pros and cons

Answer 9

• lab + standardised
• Pros: high reliability
• Cons: Hawthorne effect (knowing that you are observed changes behaviour)

Question 10

Naturalistic observation + pros and cons

Answer 10

• natural environment + spontaneous
• pros: ecological validity
• cons: less reliable, extraneous variables

Question 11

Self-monitoring + pros and cons

Answer 11

• client self-reports eg. journalling
• pros: cathartic, self-awareness
• cons: unreliable eg. forgetful, lazy

Question 12

ABC: Types of behaviour (3)

Answer 12

1. pivotal behaviour (leads to other undesirable behaviours)
2. problem behaviour (creates danger)
3. distracting behaviour (removes client from situation, avoidance)

Question 13

ABC: Consequences

Answer 13

Response to behaviour eg. shame –> avoid speeches again

Question 14

Behaviour chain analysis (3)

Answer 14

• Analyse behaviour to understand causes and help solve problem
• behaviour is a series of linked components, one leads to another
• these links are chained together and require questions to unlock

Question 15

Behaviour chain analysis steps (8)

Answer 15

Describe:
1. problem behaviour
2. precipitating event that starts chain
3. vulnerability factors prior to precipitating event
4. chain of events that led to behaviour
5. consequences of behaviour
6. solutions
7. prevention strategy
8. how to repair consequences

Question 16

Therapy advantages and limitations (2)

Answer 16

Advantages
- ongoing assessment
- client actively participates

Limitations
- time consuming
- rely on self-reports (can’t observe in natural environment)