Three boys with autism, ages 7-10 years old, served as participants in a study. During baseline, staff used response blocking when five instances of aggression or head-banging occurred within 10 seconds, until attempts ceased for 1 minute. During baseline and treatment, each occurrence of aggression and head-banging was recorded daily and converted to the number of responses per hour. Treatment comprised a differential reinforcement of incompatible behavior (DRI) schedule coupled with response blocking after every head-banging or aggression. The staff initially applied the treatment to head-banging, while continuing to take a baseline on aggression. After noting treatment effects on head-banging, the staff then applied the treatment to aggression. What is the independent variable?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The independent variable in this study is the combination of the DRI schedule and response blocking, which is applied first to head-banging and then to aggression. This is the variable that the researchers manipulate to see its effects on the participants' behavior. The other options (A, C, and D) are dependent variables, as they are being measured and recorded by the researchers to assess the effects of the independent variable.

Three Boys with Autism, Ages 7-10 Years Old, Served as Participants