Behavior Modification Chapter 20

Questions and Answers

What does the term target behavior mean? Illustrate with an example from an earlier chapter.

A target behavior is a behavior to be improved in a behavior modification program. For example, in the lead case in Chapter 4, the target behavior was Darren's cooperative behavior towards his mother.

Define behavioral assessment.

Behavioral assessment involves the collection and analysis of information and data to identify and describe target behavior, possible causes of the behavior, select appropriate treatment strategies to modify the behavior, and evaluate treatment outcomes.

List the four phases of a behavior modification program.

(a) Screening or intake phase, (b) pre-program assessment phase, (c) treatment phase, (d) follow-up phase.

What are the five functions of the intake phase of a behavior modification program?

(a) Determine if the agency is appropriate; (b) inform the client about policies; (c) screen for crisis conditions; (d) gather diagnostic information; (e) determine behaviors for baseline. Signup and view all the answers

What two things typically occur during the assessment phase of a behavior modification program?

(a) Assess the target behavior's level prior to treatment, (b) analyze the individual's current environment. Signup and view all the answers

In what types of settings are the terms training program, and intervention strategy or therapy program typically used?

Training programs are typically used in educational settings, while therapy programs and intervention strategies are used in community and clinical settings. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the follow-up phase of a behavior modification program?

The follow-up phase determines whether improvements achieved during treatment are maintained after the program ends. Signup and view all the answers

What is prerequisite to the design and implementation of a behavior modification program?

Defining target behaviors clearly, completely, and in measurable terms. Signup and view all the answers

Briefly distinguish between direct and indirect assessment procedures.

Direct assessment involves observation and measurement of behavior, while indirect assessment relies on verbal descriptions from others. Signup and view all the answers

Describe two circumstances that might lead to the use of indirect assessment procedures.

(a) It may be impractical to observe clients regularly; (b) clients may want to change thoughts and feelings that aren't observable. Signup and view all the answers

Briefly describe the advantages and disadvantages of indirect assessment procedures.

Advantages: (a) convenient; (b) time-efficient; (c) can provide information on covert behaviors. Disadvantages: (a) reliance on memory might lead to inaccuracies; (b) biases may influence the data provided. Signup and view all the answers

List the five main types of indirect assessment procedures.

Interview with the client and significant others, questionnaires, role-playing, information from consulting professionals, and client self-monitoring. Signup and view all the answers

List and describe briefly four types of questionnaires used in behavioral assessments.

(a) Life history questionnaires for background data; (b) problem checklists for identifying issues; (c) survey schedules for specific program needs; (d) third-party rating scales by therapists and significant others. Signup and view all the answers

Briefly describe the advantages and disadvantages of direct assessment procedures.

Advantages: likely more accurate. Disadvantages: (a) time-consuming; (b) requires trained observers; (c) cannot monitor covert behaviors. Signup and view all the answers

Give six reasons for collecting accurate data during an assessment or baseline phase and throughout a program.

(a) Helps to describe the problem; (b) indicates if there actually is a problem; (c) identifies causes and best strategies; (d) helps determine if changes occur; (e) provides prompts and reinforcers; (f) may lead to improvements on its own. Signup and view all the answers

What error does the case of Dr. Caldwell and the door slammer's mother exemplify? Explain how accurately recorded data counteracted this error.

It exemplifies the error of assuming the procedure wasn't working when it actually was. Dr. Caldwell used data to show a decrease from 123 to 87 door slams. Signup and view all the answers

What error does the case of the boy who went around pinching adults exemplify? Explain how accurately recorded data counteracted this error.

It exemplifies the error of assuming a procedure is working when it is not. Data showed no change in pinching behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What does reactivity mean in behavioral assessment? Illustrate with an example.

Reactivity refers to behavior changes when people know they are being observed. Any appropriate example is acceptable. Signup and view all the answers

Briefly describe the details of the clever graphing system devised for the child who got the rabbit to the carrot patch.

A chart showed a rabbit moving toward a carrot patch, with decreases in cloakroom time represented by the rabbit moving down the grass on the chart. Signup and view all the answers

Briefly describe how Ernest Hemingway and Irving Wallace used self-recording to help them maintain their writing behavior.

They kept daily records of pages written. Trollope recorded in a diary, while Hemingway and Wallace maintained charts. Signup and view all the answers

How does a behavioral approach differ from a traditional approach to assessment in terms of a basic assumption about performance on a test or a checklist?

A behavioral approach assumes checklist performance is a response to specific stimuli, while traditional approaches view it as a sign of enduring traits. Signup and view all the answers

Describe two differences in the goals of a behavioral approach to assessment compared to a traditional approach.

Behavioral goals focus on identifying behavioral excesses or deficits and their causes, while traditional goals aim to diagnose individuals and identify trait behaviors. Signup and view all the answers

Describe a difference between the method of a behavioral approach compared to a traditional approach to assessment.

The behavioral approach prefers direct observation of specific behaviors, while traditional assessments often rely on indirect measures. Signup and view all the answers

What is the major purpose of sport-specific behavioral checklists?

To provide information necessary to design effective interventions for remediating behavioral deficits or excesses in specific situations with individual athletes. Signup and view all the answers

What are two differences between behavioral checklists and traditional psychological tests?

Behavioral checklists do not have norms and are not designed to measure character or personality traits, unlike traditional psychological tests. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Target Behavior

Defined as a specific behavior to improve within a behavior modification program.
Example: Darren's cooperative behavior towards his mother.

Behavioral Assessment

Involves collecting and analyzing information to identify and describe target behaviors and potential causes.
Aims to select treatment strategies and evaluate outcomes.

Phases of Behavior Modification Program

Screening/Intake Phase: Clarifies problems and identifies appropriate practitioners.
Pre-Program Assessment Phase: Assesses behavior level and analyzes environmental variables.
Treatment Phase: Implements strategies for behavior change.
Follow-Up Phase: Evaluates the persistence of behavioral changes post-treatment.

Functions of the Intake Phase

Determines appropriateness of the agency for addressing the behavior.
Informs the client about policies and procedures.
Screens for crisis conditions.
Gathers information for diagnosis.
Identifies behaviors for baseline measurement.

Assessment Phase Activities

Assesses target behavior prior to treatment.
Analyzes current environment for controlling variables.

Terminology in Different Settings

Training programs are associated with educational settings.
Therapy programs and intervention strategies are linked to community and clinical contexts.

Follow-Up Phase Purpose

Assesses whether improvements from treatment are maintained after program termination.

Prerequisite for Program Design

Accurate definition of target behaviors in clear, measurable terms.

Direct vs. Indirect Assessment Procedures

Direct Assessment: Involves observation and measurement as behaviors occur.
Indirect Assessment: Relies on verbal descriptions from clients or others through interviews or questionnaires.

Circumstances for Indirect Assessment Use

Impracticality of regular observations of clients in real-life scenarios.
Clients wanting to modify thoughts and feelings not easily observed.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Indirect Assessment

Advantages: Convenience, time efficiency, can gather information on covert behaviors.
Disadvantages: Potential for inaccuracies due to memory bias or personal bias.

Main Types of Indirect Assessment Procedures

Client interviews, questionnaires, role-playing, consulting professional input, and client self-monitoring.

Types of Questionnaires in Behavioral Assessment

Life History Questionnaires: Background data on client.
Problem Checklists: Clients indicate problems from a detailed list.
Survey Schedules: Specific information collection for program implementation.
Third Party Rating Scales: Feedback from others on client's behavior frequency/quality.

Direct Assessment Procedures

Advantage: Higher accuracy than indirect methods.
Disadvantages: Time-consuming, requires trained observers, cannot monitor covert behaviors.

Importance of Accurate Data Collection

Accurate assessment aids in identifying problems, potential causes, and determining treatment strategies.
Baseline data helps measure treatment effect and may motivate behavior change.

Common Misjudgments in Treatment

Example: Dr. Caldwell's misjudgment corrected by data showing a decrease in door slams.
Example: Teacher misjudgment countered with data proving no effect on pinching behavior.

Concept of Reactivity

Refers to changes in behavior due to awareness of being observed.

Clever Graphing System Example

A visual chart for a child tracking time spent in a cloakroom, illustrated with a rabbit moving towards a carrot based on progress.

Self-Recording in Writing

Authors tracked pages or words written daily to maintain writing behavior.

Behavioral vs. Traditional Assessment Approaches

Behavioral assumes checklist performance samples responses to stimuli, while traditional views it as a reflection of fixed traits.

Goals of Behavioral vs. Traditional Assessment

Behavioral: Identify excesses/deficits and causes of problems.
Traditional: Diagnose/classify individuals and explore traits.

Methodological Differences

Behavioral Method: Emphasis on direct observation.
Traditional Method: Direct assessment is seen as impossible.

Purpose of Sport-Specific Behavioral Checklists

To design interventions addressing specific behavioral deficits in athletes.

Behavioral Checklists vs. Traditional Psychological Tests

Behavioral checklists lack norms and are not focused on measuring personality or character traits.

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Explore key concepts from Chapter 20 related to behavior modification, including definitions and examples of target behaviors. Test your understanding with flashcards that cover essential terms and their implications in behavioral assessment.