Social validity (Wolfe, 1978) Definition: “degree to which behavior-change efforts impact ___________ upon consumers” (Carr et al. 1999) Important to evaluate in ___________ research. Three concerns of social validity: are the ______ of the study socially relevant? are the ________________ in light of the outcomes? (costs/benefits) are the ______ socially meaningful?

Social Validity In other words, How do the __________ feel about the treatment program? Do _____ agree with the goals ? Do _____ find the methods acceptable (given the costs/effort/time/ethical values)? Are _____ satisfied with the results? Researchers need to evaluate social validity, or consumers _______________ the treatment

Example: A child is emitting many behavior problems, throwing tantrums when asked to go to bed, refusing to get dressed, bullying their sibling, etc. You decide to focus on the morning routine. You decide to implement a timeout procedure (5 min timeout in a corner) every time the child says “NO” and refuses to put on their clothes. Goals –Do the parents agree that getting dressed is the most important behavior to target? Maybe they think that bullying is more important. Methods – Do the parents find using timeout acceptable? Do they have ethical concerns about using it? Do they think they can manage doing it? Outcomes – After two weeks, the child’s refusals decrease, and the child get dressed 4 out of 7 mornings without trouble. Are the parents satisfied with this outcome? Do they feel that the problem is significantly improved?

Social validity (Poling) How might investigators evaluate social validity? ____________________ – asking consumers Problems: evaluation may be ____________ with actual changes in behavior reports may be ___________ determining who are the ____________ Always best to determine the source of _______________

Social validity (Poling) How might investigators evaluate social validity? _________________ – comparing with peers Problems: _____________an appropriate peer group Normal levels may be _____________

Example: Social validity You are interested in implementing a weight loss program. You decide to implement a self-management program whereby each person charts their own calories consumed and exercise time. Your plan is to have participants make graduate changes in calories/exercise across weeks. What are some of your social validity concerns? *Goals *Procedures *Outcomes Subjective evaluation? Social comparison? Personaligical variables – maybe people were dieting Time measurement – maybe bc they were tested in the morning

Example: Social validity You are working with a restaurant to increase sanitation among employees. You decide to use managers to record behavior of employees across a shift, chart and display the behavior, and delivery monetary bonuses to employees with the best performance. What are some of your social validity concerns? *Goals *Procedures *Outcomes Personaligical variables – maybe people were dieting Time measurement – maybe bc they were tested in the morning Subjective evaluation? Social comparison?