Rats and Incentive Study Analysis

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Questions and Answers

What was the dependent variable in Ehrenfreund and Badia's (1962) study on rats?

Food deprivation level

Incentive condition

Running speed of the rat (correct)

Length of the alley

In the 2x2 factorial design, which condition had the highest mean performance according to deprivation treatment results?

Low deprivation - High Incentive

High deprivation - Low Incentive

High deprivation - High Incentive (correct)

Low deprivation - Low Incentive

What does the term 'interaction effect' refer to in experimental design?

A design that incorporates only one IV

The combined effect of multiple IVs on the DV (correct)

The effect of one IV on the DV when ignoring other IVs

The effect of an IV across different DVs

According to Dissonance Theory, which condition is likely to lead to high dissonance?

Having a significant amount of money invested Signup and view all the answers

What does the main effect refer to in the context of IVs and DVs?

The specific effect of one IV on the DV, while ignoring other IVs Signup and view all the answers

In the Skinner Box experiment, what schedule was used to reinforce the pigeon's pecking behavior?

Fixed-ratio schedule Signup and view all the answers

What type of approach did researchers adopt when exploring the variables that control behavior?

Inductive approach Signup and view all the answers

What observation was made regarding the pigeons' pecking rate during the FR70 schedule?

Pecked continuously with slight pauses after reinforcement Signup and view all the answers

What occurred in the second week of the experiment regarding the number of pecks for reinforcement?

185 pecks were required for reinforcement Signup and view all the answers

How did the pigeon's response behavior change as the fixed-ratio requirement increased?

Longer pauses were observed after reinforcement Signup and view all the answers

What is the dependent variable in the experiment on color codes?

Reaction time Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following represents a type of relationship in the experiment?

Color to color Signup and view all the answers

What happens to reaction time as the interval between stimuli increases?

Reaction time decreases Signup and view all the answers

What is a key advantage of factorial designs?

They can investigate multiple factors simultaneously Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a quasi-experimental design?

Study comparing test scores of students from different schools Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a main effect in a factorial design?

The influence of one independent variable on the dependent variable, disregarding others Signup and view all the answers

What issue can arise from factorial designs?

They can produce interactions that may be difficult to interpret Signup and view all the answers

What is one way quasi-experimental designs differ from traditional experiments?

They rely on naturally occurring independent variables Signup and view all the answers

What does the dependent variable in an experimental design measure?

The amount of attitude change Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following represents a main effect in an experiment?

The effect of one independent variable on the dependent variable Signup and view all the answers

What does statistical significance refer to in a study?

Data meeting specific pre-established criteria Signup and view all the answers

In the context of feedback timing, which statement describes the findings of More (1969)?

Some delay in feedback can actually improve learning outcomes Signup and view all the answers

What defines an interaction effect in experimental design?

One independent variable influencing the dependent variable based on the level of another independent variable Signup and view all the answers

What does the T-scope measure in the Solso and Short (1979) study?

How quickly stimuli can be processed by the brain Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statistical significance levels indicates the highest certainty against chance factors?

0.01 (1 in 100) Signup and view all the answers

In experimental design, what does 'incentive' typically refer to?

The amount of financial or motivational reward Signup and view all the answers

What design approach is typically used in factorial designs?

Deductive Approach Signup and view all the answers

In small n designs, what is a common way to present data?

In responsive curves Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a part of the ABA design?

Data collection without treatment Signup and view all the answers

What is a likely consequence of continuous reinforcement according to Ayllon (1963)?

Satiation leading to a decrease in response strength Signup and view all the answers

Which design involves introducing multiple independent variables and their effects?

Alternating Treatment Design Signup and view all the answers

How is baseline data defined in the ABA design framework?

Initial observation of the subject's untreated behavior Signup and view all the answers

What does the 'A' represent in ABA designs?

Observation of untreated behavior Signup and view all the answers

What kind of effect can the combination of treatments in behavioral therapy produce?

Synergistic effect Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes small n designs compared to factorial designs?

Use of one or two subjects per treatment Signup and view all the answers

Which sequence represents withdrawal designs?

A, B, A Signup and view all the answers

In AB1AB2A designs, what does B1 signify?

Introduction of treatment 1 Signup and view all the answers

What can a prolonged satiation period lead to in terms of behavior?

Decrease in the reinforced response Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes factorial designs from functional designs?

Use of complex statistical methods Signup and view all the answers

In the context of behavior therapy, what does the DV typically refer to?

Weight of the client being treated Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Ehrenfreund and Badia (1962) - Rats, Deprivation, and Incentive

Examined the performance of rats under varying food deprivation and incentive conditions
20 rats were used; 5 rats in each of the 4 conditions (High Deprivation/High Incentive, High Deprivation/Low Incentive, Low Deprivation/High Incentive, Low Deprivation/Low Incentive)
Apparatus: 5-foot-long straight alley with a start box and goal box
DV: Running speed of the rat
Performance was measured as the running speed through the middle 2 feet of the alley
The median running speed of 10 trials was used for each rat
Higher score indicates faster running time

2x2 Factorial Design

Main Effect
- The effect of one IV on the DV, ignoring the other IV.
Interaction Effect
- The effect of one IV on the DV in the presence of the other IV.
- One IV affects the DV differently at different levels of the other IV.

Results

Deprivation Treatment:
- Mean of High Incentive group > Mean of Low Incentive group.
Incentive Treatment:
- Mean of High Deprivation group > Mean of Low Deprivation group.

Dissonance Theory (Linder, Cooper, and Jones, 1976)

Dissonance theory suggests that the level of dissonance depends on the amount of money received.
High Dissonance = ?
Low Dissonance = ?
Reinforcement theory is applicable only in no-choice conditions.
Dissonance can be created when people have choices, not when they are forced.
Experiment: Students write an essay on a speaker-ban law.
Factorial Design:
- IVs:
  - Choice (No Choice vs. Free Choice)
  - Incentive (50 cents vs. $2.50)
- DV: Amount of attitude change

Statistical Significance

Level of significance: The statistical point above (or below) which one can infer the operation of no chance factor.
- 0.05 (1 in 20)
- 0.01 (1 in 100)
Statistically significant: When data meet the pre-established criteria.
Chance of variation: This can affect results, especially in smaller sample sizes.

More (1969) - Immediate vs. Delayed Feedback

Examined the effects of immediate and delayed information feedback on learning.
8th Grade students from 4 different schools participated.
IV1 - Feedback: Length of delay between taking the test and receiving results.
- Intervals: Immediate, 2.5 hr, 1 day, 4 days.
IV2 – Acquisition Treatment: Students took the same test immediately after receiving feedback.
IV2 – Retention Treatment: Students took the same test 3 days after receiving feedback.
DV: Number of students answering correctly the second time.
Results:
- High Performance: Acquisition group > Retention group.
- Retention: No support for the assumption that immediate feedback maximizes learning.
- Some delay in feedback is better.

Solso and Short (1979) - Color Codes and Reaction Time

Measured mental processes, specifically reaction time, using a tachistoscope to test the limits of human visual perception.
Investigated how information is coded in memory after perception.
Found that participants initially form visual codes for letters and then form name codes.
3x3x2 within-subject design:
- IV1 – Type of Relationship: Color to associate, color to word, and color to color.
- IV2 – Delay: 0, 500, 1500 msec between stimuli.
- IV3 – Match or Mismatch: Red, blood (match) or Red, blue (mismatch).
DV: Reaction time
Results:
- Fastest response = color-color pairings (red-red).
- Slowest response = color-association pairings (red-blood).
- Increased interval (1500msec) decreased reaction time.
- Parallel development of codes to color.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Factorial Designs

Advantages:
- Investigate multiple factors simultaneously.
- Multiple factors can combine in different ways.
Disadvantages:
- Factorial designs take much more work.
- Factorial designs can produce interactions which are difficult or impossible to interpret.

Quasi-Experimental Designs

Introduced by Campbell and Stanley (1966)
Select IVs from the natural environment.
Used to overcome problems faced by psychologists who study behaviors occurring in less formal settings than labs.
Also known as "ex po facto research" or "as if" designs.
Data is collected and analyzed after the event has happened.
Key differences with naturalistic observation:
- An IV is introduced.
- Controls are applied.
Labs provide controlled environments, but results may not generalize to real life.
To study real-world events, researchers must often work in natural settings, which can lack control.

Punishment

Punishment is a precise, measurable aspect of behavior.
Researchers in this area are often a-theoretical, focused on testing variables that control behavior, rather than testing a theory.
The experiment is viewed as a means of exploration, with theories emerging from the data, rather than being tested directly.

Inductive Approach

In the inductive approach, theory arises from the data, rather than being tested.

Deductive Approach

In the deductive approach, existing theory is used to predict outcomes.

Fester and Perrott (1968) - Pigeon Pecking

Skinner box experiments using one pigeon.
Pigeon pecked a plexiglass plate for food.
Pen point recorded pecking frequency.
Pigeon received food after "n" number of pecks, following a fixed-ratio schedule:
- Week 1: FR 70
- Week 2: FR 185
- Week 3: FR 325
The schedule was reversed for the next three weeks.

Fester and Perrott (1968) - Results

FR 70: Almost continuous pecking with slight pauses after reinforcement.
FR 185: Long pauses after reinforcement, rapid pecking until food appeared.
FR 325: Longer pauses after reinforcement, pecking rate similar to FR 70 and 185.

Fester and Perrott (1968) - Conclusion

The number of pecks required for reinforcement does not affect the pecking rate, but it does affect the length of the pause between reinforcement and the resumption of pecking.

Difference Between Functional and Factorial Designs

Factorial Designs:
- Deductive Approach
- Large Samples
- Sophisticated Statistical Analysis
Functional Designs:
- Inductive Approach
- Small "n"
- No specific statistical analysis - typical curves are used.

Small n Designs

Use only one or two subjects in each experimental treatment, unlike factorial designs.
Data is presented as a responsive curve, rather than means and variances.
The curve represents a segment of the subject's behavior that indicates their performance under experimental conditions.
This approach is atheoretical, focusing on exploring variables that control behavior.

ABA Designs (Reversal Designs)

Basic Structure:
- A: Observation of untreated behavior (baseline data).
- B: Introduction of experimental variable(s) and measurement of behavior.
- A: Removal of experimental variable and measure of behavior.
The baseline data (A) helps to control the experiment's internal validity.
Examples: A behavior therapist trying to treat overeating.

Multiple IVs

When using multiple IVs, determining a cause-and-effect relationship can be difficult.
The combination of treatments might result in a synergistic effect, leading to more impactful results.
Multiple IVs in ABA Designs: Use alternating treatment designs (e.g., ABA1ABA2A)

AAA Designs (Control Group Designs)

Structure:
- A: Observation of untreated behavior.
- A: No treatment introduced, measure of behavior.
- A: Measure of behavior.
The baseline data (A) serves as a control for subsequent observations.

Extended Versions of ABA Designs

ABABA Designs:
- The experimental variable is reintroduced (B).
AB1AB2A Designs:
- The first experimental variable (B1) is removed.
- The second experimental variable (B2) is introduced.

Ayllon (1963) - Satiation and Hoarding Behavior

Explores the concept of satiation in behavioral therapy.
Satiation: A decrease in response strength with continuous reinforcement.
Animals with continuous reinforcement for a long period may stop emitting the reinforced response.
The study utilized a satiation period to control hoarding behavior in a psychiatric patient.
The patient hoarded towels, accumulating over 600.
During the satiation period, nurses brought towels to the patient instead of removing them.
The patient eventually stopped hoarding towels.

Key Points to Remember

Factorial designs are powerful but require significant effort.
Quasi-experimental designs are useful for studying real-world events but lack strict control.
Small "n" designs can be effective for understanding individual behavior.
ABA designs are flexible and allow for the control of multiple variables.
- These designs can be modified to accommodate various research questions.
Satiation can be a useful tool for treating certain behavioral problems.
- However, it is essential to consider the ethical implications before using it as a therapy.

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Description

Explore the findings of the study by Ehrenfreund and Badia on rat performance under different food deprivation and incentive conditions. This quiz covers key concepts such as 2x2 factorial design, main effects, and interaction effects, using running speed as a dependent variable. Test your understanding of experimental design and results interpretation.