behaviour ch4

Six Common Research Designs (A)

1. Reversal-Replication 2. Changing-Criterion 3. Alternating-Treatments / Multi-Element 4. Multiple-Baseline-Across-Behaviors 5. Multiple-Baseline-Across-Situations 6. Multiple-Baseline-Across-People

Reversal-Replication includes

baseline phase, treatment phase, reversal to baseline phase, & replication of treatment phase

Changing-Criterion

• treatment's control over behavior is evaluated by introducing successive changes in that treatment's application criterion

Alternating-Treatments / Multi-Element individual (one condition per session) involves

alternation of 2 or more treatment conditions with single

Multiple-Baseline-Across-Behaviors involves

establishing baselines for two or more behaviors, then introducing treatment sequentially across those behaviors

Multiple-Baseline-Across-Situations involves

establishing baselines across two or more situations, then introducing treatment sequentially across those situations

Multiple-Baseline-Across-People involves

establishing baselines across two or more people, then introducing treatment sequentially to each

Components of the Replication-Reversal (ABAB) Design

Baseline Phase (A), Treatment Phase (B), Reversal Phase (A), Replication of Treatment Phase (B)

A - antecedent

what is present at time of behaviour classified into stimulus control and stimulus extinction

B - behaviour

the action that happens

C - consequence

what happens due to the behaviour

1. Baseline Phase (A)

data is collected on occurrence of target behavior in absence treatment. How, where, why, when.

2. Treatment Phase (B)

data is collected on occurrence of target behavior during treatment phase

3. Reversal Phase (A)

data is collected during a return to baseline phase

4. Replication of Treatment Phase (B)

data is collected during a replication of treatment phase

Two Limitations of the Reversal-Replication Design

1. It might be undesirable to reverse to baseline following a successful treatment phase 2. It might be impossible to reverse to baseline due to behavior trapping

Three Limitations of Multiple-Baseline-Across-Behaviours

1. The behaviors may not be independent 2. It may not be possible to find two suitable behaviors 3. There may not be an adequate number of observers to gather data on several behaviors

Three Limitations of Multiple-Baseline-Across-Situations

1. When treatment is applied to the behavior in first situation, that behavior may improve in all situations 2. The behavior may occur in only one situation 3. There may not be an adequate number of observers to gather data on several behaviors

Behaviour always happens in context and we need to see the situations in which

behaviour takes place.

Three Limitations of Multiple-Baseline-Across-People

1. The 1st person might explain or model the treatment to the others 2. It may not be possible to find two or more individuals with the same problem 3. There may not be an adequate number of observers to gather data on several behaviors

Maximizing Confidence that Effect Was Produced by ABAB Treatment

1. Treatment effect replicated several times 2. Few overlapping data points between baseline & treatment phases 3. Effect is observed soon after treatment is introduced 4. Treatment effect is large compared to baseline 5. Treatment procedure is precisely specified 6. Response measures are reliable 7. Findings are consistent with existing data and accepted behavioral theory

Social Validation Three Levels

1. Importance of target behaviors for client and society 2. Acceptability of procedures to client 3. Satisfaction of clients and / or caregivers with results

Social Validation Why Important?

They influence behavior modifiers to do their best to help individuals function fully in society.