PSYB38 - Observing and Recording Behaviour

Behavioural Assessment

Measurement of the target behavior (or behaviors) in behavior modification

o   May also refer to measurement of antecedents and consequences of the target behavior

Indirect Assessment

Assessment that relies on information from others.

o   The information on the problem behavior, antecedents, and consequences is not derived from direct observation but from retrospective report in interviews and questionnaires

Direct Assessment

Behavioral assessment involving direct observation and recording of the behavior as it occurs

o   may also refer to direct observation and recording of the antecedents and consequences of the behavior.

Behavioural Definition

active verbs describing specific behaviours that a person exhibits

Interobserver Agreement (IOA)

Occurs when two observers independently observe and record a person’s behavior at the same time and agree on the occurrence of the behavior

Self Monitoring

A type of direct observation data collection in which the client observes and records their own behavior as it occurs

Observation Period

The time period in which an observer observes and records the behavior of a client participating in a behavior modification program

Natural Setting

An observation setting that is part of the client’s normal daily routine.

o   The target behavior typically occurs in here

Analogue Setting

An observation setting that is not part of the client’s normal daily routine. Typically involves a setting such as a separate room where all stimuli and activities are controlled by the experimenter

Structured Observation

The observer provides instructions or arranges for specific events or activities to occur during the observation period

Unstructured Observation

No specific events, activities, or instructions are given during the observation period

Continuous Recording

A type of recording procedure in which some aspect of the behavior is recorded each time the behavior occurs. Frequency, duration, latency, or intensity can be recorded in a continuous recording procedure

Frequency

A dimension of behavior—specifically, the number of times a behavior occurs in a specific time period.

o   The number of responses (frequency) divided by the time equals the rate of the behavior

Rate

The frequency of the behavior divided by the time of the observation period.

o   Typically reported as responses per minute.

Duration

A dimension of behavior, specifically the time from the onset of the behavior to the offset of the behavior

o   how long an instance of the behavior lasts

Real-Time Recording

A recording method in which you record the exact time of each onset and offset of the target behavior in the observation period.

o   results in information on the frequency and duration of the target behavior, as well as the exact timing of each instance of the behavior in the observation period.

Intensity

A dimension of behavior, specifically the physical force or magnitude of the behavior.

o   Often measured with a recording instrument or on a rating scale

Latency

A dimension of behavior, specifically the time from some stimulus to the onset of the behaviour

Baseline

The condition or phase in which no treatment is implemented

Product Recording

A type of behavior recording in which the outcome or permanent product of the behavior is recorded as an indication of the occurrence of the behavior

Interval Recording

A type of behavior recording procedure in which the observation period is divided into a number of consecutive time intervals and the behavior is recorded as occurring or not occurring in each of the intervals

Partial-Interval Recording

the observer scores the interval if the behavior occurred during any part of the interval

Whole Interval Recording

the occurrence of the behaviour is marked in an interval only when the behaviour occurs through the whole interval

Frequency-within-interval recording

A recording method in which the number of times the target behavior occurs (frequency) is recorded within consecutive intervals of time during the observation period

Time Sample Recording

A behaviour recording procedure in which the observation period is divided into intervals and the behaviour is recorded during a part of each interval

Momentary Time Sample Recording

A variation of time sample recording in which the behavior is recorded only if it occurs at the exact instant the interval ends

Reactivity

The phenomenon in which the process of recording behavior causes the behavior to change even before treatment is implemented for the behavior