EM

Chapter 3: Graphing Behavior and Measuring Change

Learning Objectives

  • Explain why assessment is so important.
  • Describe the difference between direct & Indirect Assessment.
  • Describe why defining a Target Behavior is so important.
  • Explain the who, what, where and when of observing and recording behavior.
  • Understand graphs better.

Why Observing and Recording Behavior is Important

  • Indicates the “You are here” sign.
  • Helps you identify if you’re headed toward your end goal.
  • Indicates how you are doing.

Purposes of Behavioral Assessment in Behavior Modification

  • The measurement of behavior is important because:
    • It can determine where you are (if treatment is necessary).
    • It can determine the best form of treatment.
    • It can determine if the treatment is working.

Types of Behavioral Assessment

  • Indirect Assessment
  • Direct Assessment

Indirect Assessment

  • Use interviews to get information on the target behavior from the person exhibiting the behavior or from others (parents, teachers, staff).
  • Other Examples?
    • Questionnaires
    • Rating scales
    • Video
    • Product measures
  • Key: I.A. Does NOT occur when the target behavior occurs. It relies on an individual’s recall of the target behavior.

Direct Assessment

  • A person observes and records the Target Behavior as it occurs.
  • Requirements?
    • Precise definition of T.B.
    • Separate from other behaviors
    • Precise occurrence
  • Key: D.A. occurs as the target behavior occurs. The skilled observer has a precise definition of the target behavior.

Examples of Assessment

  • Direct Assessment example: When the school psychologist observes a socially withdrawn child on the playground and records each social interaction with another child. She’s using Direct Assessment.
  • Indirect Assessment example: When the school psychologist interviews the student’s teacher about how many times the child usually interacts with kids on the playground. She’s using Indirect Assessment.
  • D.A. Occurs as the target behavior occurs. I.A. Does not. It relies on the recall of others to identify the Target Behavior.

Direct vs Indirect: Quick Distinction

  • Direct Assessment (D.A.) occurs as the target behavior occurs.
  • Indirect Assessment (I.A.) does not occur at the moment of the target behavior; relies on recall.

Direct Assessment (Overview)

  • Direct observation and recording of the target behavior as it occurs.
  • Deficient?
  • Excessive?
  • Overt?
  • Covert?

Behavioral Assessment Advantages & Disadvantages

  • Indirect Assessment methods
    • Skilled observer is usually not present.
    • Information relies on the memory of others.
    • Accuracy? Untrained, don’t notice every occurrence.
  • Direct Assessment methods
    • Trained observer (usually)
    • Records every occurrence during a specific timeframe
    • Most preferred

Self-Assessment: Type of Assessment

  • Guess what type of assessment is being done in the following examples: Self-assessment – Direct or indirect assessment?

Example 1

  • 1.At the end of the day, the parent records how many times her child peed in the toilet that day. § Indirect
  • 2. Each time the child pees in the toilet, the parent marks it down on a data sheet. § Direct
  • Self-assessment – Direct or indirect assessment?

Example 2

  • 1.Each time the young woman’s iphone vibrates, she writes down the negative thoughts she is experiencing. • Direct
  • 2. During a behavioral interview, the young woman reports how much negative thinking she experienced after arguing with her boyfriend. § Indirect
  • Self-assessment – Direct or indirect assessment?

Recording Behavior

  • 1. Define the target behavior
  • 2. Identify who, when, and where to record – the logistics of recording
  • 3. Choose a recording method (what to record)
  • 4. Choose a recording instrument (how to record)
  • 5. Consider reactivity of recording
  • 6. Interobserver agreement assessment

Defining the Target Behavior

  • First: Describe what the person does and says.
  • The Problem:
    • Biased Labels
    • Everyone has their own definition of “the Problem”
  • The Solution: Agreement about the definition
  • Examples? When Bobby…
    • Temper-Tantrum
    • Studying
    • Assertiveness
    • Nail-biting
    • Stuttering
    • Defiant

Defining the Target Behavior (Continued)

  • Describe what the person does and says (avoid labels)
  • Use active verbs (objective and unambiguous)
  • No inference about internal states or motivation
  • Key: Defined so that two people can agree

Recording Methods: What to Measure

  • Duration – How long the behavior lasts
  • Frequency – How often the behavior occurs
  • Intensity or force – The physical effort or energy involved in emitting the behavior
  • Latency – The time from some stimulus to the onset of the behavior
  • Notes on formulas:
    • Duration: Duration = t{end} - t{start}
    • Latency: Latency = t{onset} - t{stimulus}
    • Frequency: number of occurrences within a timeframe (no single formula given here)
    • Intensity: level of effort, often quantified by observation scale

Recording Examples (Part I)

  • 1. Recording the amount of weight Bob bench presses. • Intensity
  • 2. Recording how many times Bob lifts the weight. • Frequency
  • 3. Recording how long it took Bob to get to the weight bench once he entered the gym. • Latency
  • Self-assessment – Guess what type of recording method?

Recording Examples (Part II)

  • 1. Recording how long it took Bob to complete a set of 20 push-ups. • Duration
  • Self-assessment – what type of recording method?

Choosing a Recording Instrument

  • Key: Recording must be immediate and practical
  • Instruments:
    • Data sheet (paper and pencil)
  • Others?
    • Stopwatch for duration
    • Golf stroke counter for frequency
    • Smart phone, handheld device
    • Laptop computer

Notation and Practical Tips

  • Recording should be designed to be easy to use in real time.
  • Consider potential reactivity: recording itself may alter behavior.
  • Interobserver agreement (IOA) should be assessed to ensure reliability of data.

Quick Reference: Key Terms

  • Target Behavior (T.B.): the behavior to be measured.
  • Direct Assessment (D.A.): measurement occurs as the behavior happens.
  • Indirect Assessment (I.A.): measurement relies on recollection or reports from others.
  • Duration: how long the behavior lasts, Duration = t{end} - t{start}
  • Frequency: how often the behavior occurs (count within a timeframe).
  • Intensity: physical effort or energy involved in emitting the behavior.
  • Latency: time from stimulus to onset, Latency = t{onset} - t{stimulus}
  • Interobserver Agreement (IOA): reliability check between observers.

Graphing and Measuring Change (Context)

  • Observation and recording data feed into graphs used to assess progress toward goals.
  • Graphs help visualize whether treatment is moving toward desired outcomes.