Chapter 2 - Basic Terminology Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in Chapter 2 - Basic Terminology Deck (39)
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1
Q

Variable

A

A characteristic of a person, place or thing that can change (vary) over time or from one situation to another.

2
Q

Independent Variable

A

That aspect of an experiment that is made to systematically vary across the different conditions in an experiment

What is manipulated

3
Q

Dependent Variable

A

That aspect of an experiment that is allowed to freely vary to determine if it is affected by changes in the independent variable

What is measured

Dependent upon changes in the independent variable

4
Q

Functional Relationship

A

The relationship between changes in an independent variable (Environmental event) and changes in a dependent variable (behavior)

A cause (IV) and effect (DV) relationship.

5
Q

appetitive stimulus

A

An event that an organism will seek out.

6
Q

aversive stimulus

A

An event that an organism will avoid.

7
Q

baseline

A

The normal frequency of a behavior before some intervention.

8
Q

case study approach

A

A descriptive research approach that involves intensive examination of one or a few individuals.

9
Q

changing-criterion design

A

A type of single-subject design in which the effect of the treatment is demonstrated by how closely the behavior matches a criterion that is systematically altered.

10
Q

comparative design

A

A type of control group design in which different species constitute one of the independent variables.

11
Q

contingency

A

A predictive relationship between two events such that the occurrence of one event predicts the probable occurrence of the other.

12
Q

control group design

A

A type of experiment in which, at its simplest, subjects are randomly assigned to either an experimental (or treatment) group or a control group; subjects assigned to the experimental group are exposed to a certain manipulation or treatment, while those assigned to the control group are not.

Problems:
Requires large numbers of subjects
Focuses on the average and ignores unusuals
Result only assessed at end of study

13
Q

covert behavior

A

Behavior that can be subjectively perceived only by the person performing the behavior. Thoughts and feelings are covert behaviors. Also known as private events or private behavior.

Overt/covert behaviors are also reciprocal; one can influence the other: i.e. thinking about something is covert; performing because of the thought is overt.

14
Q

cumulative recorder

A

A device that measures total number of responses over time and provides a graphic depiction of the rate of behavior.

15
Q

deprivation

A

The prolonged absence of an event that tends to increase the appetitiveness of that event.

16
Q

descriptive research

A

Research that focuses on describing the behavior and the situation within which it occurs.

17
Q

duration

A

The length of time that an individual repeatedly or continuously performs a certain behavior.

18
Q

establishing operation

A

A procedure that affects the appetitiveness or aversiveness of a stimulus.

19
Q

intensity

A

The force or magnitude of a behavior.

20
Q

interval recording

A

The measurement of whether or not a behavior occurs within a series of continuous intervals. (Note that the number of times that the behavior occurs within each interval is irrelevant.)

21
Q

latency

A

The length of time required for a behavior to begin.

22
Q

multiple-baseline design

A

A type of single-subject design in which a treatment is instituted at successive points in time for two or more persons, settings, or behaviors.

Cons-
Treatment effect may alter behavior in untreated settings
Need multiple people, settings or behaviors

Pros:
Good for long term changes and ethical concerns

23
Q

naturalistic observation

A

A descriptive research approach that involves the systematic observation and recording of behavior in its natural environment.

24
Q

overt behavior

A

Behavior that has the potential for being directly observed by an individual other than the one performing the behavior.

Overt/covert behaviors are also reciprocal; one can influence the other: i.e. thinking about something is covert; performing because of the thought is overt.

25
Q

rate of response

A

The frequency with which a response occurs in a certain period of time.

26
Q

response

A

A particular instance of a behavior.

Social interactions - positive or negative - are usually a chain of alternating responses, each response being a stimulus for the next response.

27
Q

reversal design

A

ABA Design

A type of single-subject design that involves repeated alternations between a baseline period and a treatment period.

Repetitions strengthen the functional relationship; confounding variables are unlikely to occur simulataneously to every repeat

Often ideal for determining a treatment efficacy for an individual patient; Can be conducted with 4+ individuals to determine generality/external validity

Problems:
If behavior does not return to baseline after treatment removed, cannot determine the functional relationship
Not useful when treatment is intended to produce long lasting effect (could cause problem#1)
May be unethical to halt treatment if benefit occurs

28
Q

satiation

A

The prolonged exposure to (or consumption of) an event that tends to decrease the appetitiveness of that event.

29
Q

simple-comparison design

A

AB Design

A type of single-subject design in which behavior in a baseline condition is compared to behavior in a treatment condition.

Poor experimental design; does not account for confounding variables

30
Q

single-subject design

A

A research design that requires only one or a few subjects in order to conduct an entire experiment. Also known as single-case or small n designs.

31
Q

spatial contiguity

A

The extent to which events are situated close to each other in space.

32
Q

speed

A

The amount of time required to perform a complete episode of a behavior from start to finish.

33
Q

stimulus

A

Any event that can potentially influence behavior. (The plural for stimulus is stimuli.)

Also a cue

Social interactions - positive or negative - are usually a chain of alternating responses, each response being a stimulus for the next response.

34
Q

temporal contiguity

A

The extent to which events occur close together in time.

35
Q

time-sample recording

A

The measurement of whether or not a behavior occurs within a series of discontinuous intervals. (The number of times that it occurs within each interval is irrelevant.)

36
Q

topography

A

The physical form of a behavior.

37
Q

We easily associate a table and a chair because there is often close spatial _______ between the two items.

A

contiguity

38
Q

The number of fish caught each hour during a fishing trip each week would constitute a(n) ________ measure of catching fish.

A

rate

39
Q

Nina loves beans; Jana hates beans. Beans are a(n) ________ stimulus to Nina, and a(n) _______ stimulus to Jana.

A

appetitive

aversive