CP

PSY 205 Notes: Observing + Recording Behavior Lectures

  • Reflexes/bodily processes are not psychological behaviors
  • The environment for an organism is the stimuli that the organism is sensing and responding in relation to
  • Psychological behavior: the impact the organism has on its environment, and the impact the environment has on the organism (reciprocal interaction)>> psychological event
  • Recording behavior:
    • Defining target behavior: clear, observable actions
    • Who (will do the observing), when, and where (natural/analogue, structured/unstructured)?
    • Recording methods-- will determine the instruments used
    • Continuous recording
    • Time sampling
    • Interval recording
    • Reducing reactivity (effect of the observer on the client)
    • Wait until the client becomes accustomed to the observer or to self-monitoring
    • If possible, use natural observers or record through things like cameras/observation windows
    • Interobserver agreement (IOA): makes sure the target behavior is being recorded consistently and accurately
    • Aim for 80% or higher IOA
    • For frequency or duration (percent) recording, smaller number divided by bigger number-- use the same units!
    • Interval/time-sample recording: Agreement intervals divided by total intervals. Total agreement-- can only use intervals in which observer’s recordings totally agree
    • Total agreement often results in a higher IOA