36 Questions
In a study on the effects of viewing television violence on children's aggression, the level of movie violence shown to the children would be considered the _______ variable?
Independent
In an experiment concerning the effects of time-out on noncompliant behavior, _____ is the independent variable?
Time-out
In an experiment concerning the effect of food deprivation on activity level, activity level is the _____ variable?
Dependent
Suppose you are experimenting with the effects of sleep deprivation on memory. In this case, sleep deprivation is a(n) ____ variable?
Independent
Which variable is manipulated in an experiment to observe its effect on the dependent variable?
Independent
What term refers to the relationship between changes in an independent variable and changes in a dependent variable?
Functional relationship
What is the dependent variable in an experiment?
What is measured
Which of the following is an example of an appetitive stimulus?
Food when hungry
What does deprivation do to the appetitiveness of a stimulus?
Increases it
What is contingency in the context of stimulus-response?
Predictive relationship between two events
Which type of behavior is subjectively perceived and not publicly observable?
Covert behavior
How is behavior measured by the rate of response?
By the frequency with which a response occurs in a certain period of time
What is contiguity in the context of stimuli?
Closeness or nearness of events in time or space
What does satiation do to the appetitiveness of a stimulus?
Decreases it
Which event creates a contingency between lever pressing and food presentation?
Overt behavior
What are events that an organism will seek out, mostly pleasant?
Appetitive stimuli
Which establishing operation affects the appetitiveness or aversiveness of a stimulus by prolonged absence of an event?
Deprivation
What is the potential influencer of behavior?
Stimulus
Which method of measurement is used to observe whether or not a behavior occurs within a series of continuous intervals?
Interval recording
What does a steep line in a cumulative record indicate?
Fast responding
Which aspect of behavior refers to the force or magnitude of a behavior?
Intensity
What does a well-defined behavior have?
A clear onset and offset
Which design involves implementing a new treatment and comparing it to the baseline?
Reversal (ABA or ABAB) design
What is the length of time required for a behavior to begin known as?
Latency
Which type of research methods involve manipulating variables to observe their effects on behavior?
Experimental research methods
What does the number of errors refer to in behavior measurement?
The number of mistakes or wrong turns made
Which method is used to measure the total number of responses over time?
Cumulative recording
In a reversal design, why is it necessary for the behavior to revert to its original baseline frequency when the treatment is withdrawn?
To determine if the treatment has had an effect
Why might it be ethically inappropriate to remove a treatment once some improvement has been obtained in a study?
In the case of eliminating severe drug addiction
When is a reversal design inappropriate for an experiment?
When the treatment produces a permanent change in behavior
What is the advantage of using a multiple-baseline-across-behaviors design in an experiment?
There is no need to withdraw the treatment to determine its effectiveness
What are two advantages of using animals in research, as mentioned in the text?
Control over experimental environment and ability to control genetic makeup
Why might some research not ethically be conducted with humans?
Due to ethical issues like brain lesions and drug addiction
What is the main disadvantage of a reversal design?
The behavior must revert to its original baseline frequency when the treatment is withdrawn
In what type of experiment is a reversal design inappropriate?
An experiment where the treatment produces a permanent change in behavior
What type of design involves applying a treatment at successive points in time for two or more persons, settings, or behaviors?
Multiple Baseline Design
Study Notes
- The text discusses different methods used to measure and record various aspects of behavior, including duration, intensity, latency, topography, and number of errors.
- A well-defined behavior has a clear onset and offset. Examples include the number of cigarettes smoked per day, number of words written in an hour, and number of lever presses during a session.
- Cumulative recorders are used to measure the total number of responses over time. A flat line indicates no or slow responding, a steep line indicates fast responding, and a shallow line indicates moderate responding.
- Intensity is the force or magnitude of a behavior. More salivation indicates stronger conditioning, while the force with which a rat presses a lever to obtain food is also a measure of intensity.
- Latency is the length of time required for a behavior to begin. For example, how soon a dog begins salivating after hearing a tone or how quickly a musician begins playing a musical piece.
- Interval recording is the measurement of whether or not a behavior occurs within a series of continuous intervals. Not interested in how many responses occurred in each interval, only whether it occurred or not.
- Topography is the physical form of the behavior. Observing how a rat presses a lever with its left or right paw, or the exact manner in which a person lifts a weight.
- Number of errors refers to the number of mistakes or wrong turns made before reaching a goal.
- Descriptive research methods are used to observe behavior without manipulating variables. Naturalistic observations and case studies are examples.
- Experimental research methods involve manipulating variables to observe their effects on behavior. Control group designs and single-subject designs are examples.
- Reversal (ABA or ABAB) design involves implementing a new treatment and comparing it to the baseline.
- Simple-Comparison (AB) design compares behavior in a baseline condition to behavior in a treatment condition.
- Reversal (ABCAC) design involves multiple treatments and observing the effects of each one.
- Descriptive research methods are susceptible to researcher bias and cannot determine cause and effect relationships. Results are also limited as they cannot be generalized to other people, places, and times.
- Experimental research methods are distinguished by the manipulation of variables and can provide stronger evidence of cause and effect relationships. However, they can also be more complex and time-consuming to conduct.
Test your knowledge of cumulative recorders and the measurement of duration in behavioral psychology. This quiz covers topics such as recording methods and the interpretation of cumulative recorder data.
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