A mother who is concerned about behavioural problems tells the clinician that her child has "an attitude." Before diagnosing and treating the child,the psychologist would want to clarify what the mother means by "attitude." What type of definition is the psychologist seeking?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The psychologist is seeking an operational definition, which clearly defines the term "attitude" in measurable terms so that they can evaluate the child's behaviour objectively. This will allow them to make an accurate diagnosis and develop an effective treatment plan. A behavioural definition only describes observable behaviours, an observational definition only describes what the mother is observing, and a structured definition may not apply in this situation.

A Mother Who Is Concerned About Behavioural Problems Tells the Clinician