Deck 22: Doing Behavior Modification Research

Question 1

With reference to an example, briefly describe a multiple-baseline-across-behaviors design.

Answer 1

First, a baseline is taken concurrently on two or more behaviors.Second, the treatment is introduced to one of the behaviors while the other behavior(s)continues on baseline.Third, the first behavior continues on treatment and the treatment is introduced to the second behavior.In this way, the design calls for the introduction of the treatment sequentially across two or more behaviors.An example is shown in Figure 22-3, or any other appropriate example is acceptable.

Question 2

Define internal validity.

Answer 2

A finding is said to be internally valid if the independent variable did, in fact, cause observed changes in the dependent variable.

Question 3

In a sentence or two each, describe why Baselines 1, 2, and 3 from Figure 22.2 are inadequate.

Answer 3

(a)Baseline 1 is not stable; (b)Baseline 2 shows a trend in the same direction as that observed during the independent variable phase; a continuation of that trend cannot be reliably attributed to the independent variable; (c)Baseline 3 is too brief to allow conclusions about stability or trends to be drawn.

Question 4

With reference to an example, briefly describe a multiple-baseline-across-people design.

Question 5

With reference to an example, briefly describe the four components of the reversal-replication design. What is another name for this design?

Question 6

In two or three sentences, explain why we cannot necessarily claim that a change in behavior during a minimal behavior modification program was due to the treatment.

Question 7

In two or three sentences, distinguish between a minimal behavior modification program and behavior modification research.

Question 8

What are three potential limitations of a multiple-baseline-across-behaviors design?

Question 9

What are three potential limitations of a multiple-baseline-across-people design?

Question 10

Define dependent variable, and give an example.

Question 11

Briefly name and describe the four minimal components of a behavior modification program.

Question 12

How many reversals and replications are necessary in a reversal-replication design?

Question 13

With reference to an example, briefly describe a multiple-baseline-across-situations design.

Question 14

State an advantage of a multiple-baseline design over a reversal-replication design.

Question 15

Define external validity.

Question 16

What are three potential limitations of a multiple-baseline-across-situations design?

Question 17

Ideally, how long should the baseline phase of the reversal-replication design continue?

Question 18

What scientific, practical, and ethical considerations might lead someone to lengthen or shorten a baseline?

Question 19

Identify two limitations of the reversal-replication design, and give an example of each.

Question 20

Define independent variable, and give an example.

Question 21

In a sentence or two each, explain the scientific and practical criteria for evaluating the effects of a particular treatment. Be sure to distinguish between the two in your answer.

Question 22

What are the three levels of social validation, and why are they important?

Question 23

List four reasons why many behavior modifiers prefer single-case designs to group designs.

Question 24

With reference to an example, briefly describe the changing-criterion design.

Question 25

With reference to an example, briefly describe an alternating-treatments design.
What is another name for this design? Explain when and why that name might be preferred.

Question 26

Briefly describe a potential problem with the alternating-treatments design.

Question 27

What seven criteria would give you maximum confidence that the treatment in an ABAB design had produced an effect on the dependent variable?