Behavioral Assessment

Lesson 8

Behavioral Assessment Measuring target behavior

Requires detailed behavioral definition Quantifiable

Unambiguous (objective) Hi inter-rater reliability

Purpose Determine if treatment necessary Aids in choosing treatment approach Establishes baseline Indicates change in target behavior ~

Assessment Strategies Direct assessment

Observe/record B as it occurs Usually more accurate

Indirect assessment Relies on observers memory Questionnaires, interviews, rating scales

Continuous recording Low frequency behaviors

Time sample recording Hi frequency behaviors ~

Assessment Methods Type: Label behavioral definition

Arm biting closure of upper & lower teeth on any portion of skin from fingers to elbow

Face-hitting audible contact of open or closed hand against face or head

Timing Duration: how long behavior occurs Latency: delay until behavior occurs ~

Assessment Methods Frequency

Number of occurrence during specified time period

Percentage of opportunities e.g., compliance with request Child complies 11/22 or 50%

Product recording (indirect) e.g. # completed homework # problems completed Uncertainty: who completed B? ~

Objective Measurement Example: Reduce smoking Form

# of packs, cigarettes, or puffs? practical choice of measurement

Frequency ratio of count & length of observation

Timing duration of behavior ~

Objective Measurement Other useful measures

% of task completed groups: # or % of people completing task rating scales: qualitative behaviors

Use combination of scales No predetermined scale for a behavior

quality of social contacts, not number or vice versa depends on individual’s goals ~

Recording Instruments To record data

Immediately Practical method

Checklists Notebooks ABC Diaries, etc. Stopwatch, timers Golf stroke counters Smart phones ~

ABC Diary for Child’s Tantrums

behavioral excesses: split B column Deceleration B, acceleration B ~

Antecedents (A) Behavior (B) Consequences (C)

We turned off TV

22 minNo TV. We tried to comfort him

He demanded a glass of water at bedtime

24 minWe finally gave him water

After a bedtime story

18 minWe left the room

Had turned of TV

26 minSent him to his room

Reactivity Observing B changes B

inaccurate functional analysis? Person knows they are being observed

Wait until accustomed to observer Hidden observation

Self-monitoring Sometimes part of treatment Still important to establish baseline ~