Chapter 2: Research Methods Basic Terms Measurement of Behavior Research Designs Animal Use

Basic Terms Variable A characteristic that can change (vary) over time or from one situation to another Independent variable a characteristic whose values are independent of changes in the values of other variables Dependent variable Characteristic that is dependent upon changes in the IV

Basic Terms Operational definition An exact description of an event or behavior that would otherwise be ambiguous

Measurement of Behavior 1. Rate of response Cumulative Recorder

Measurement of Behavior 2. Intensity 3. Duration 4. Speed

Measurement of Behavior 5. Latency 6. Interval recording 7. Time sample recording 8. Topography 9. Number of errors

Basic Terms Stimulus (S) Any event that can produce a behavior Response (R) A behavior elicited by a stimulus

Basic Terms Overt Behavior Behavior that can be observed by another individual Covert Behavior Behavior that is subjective (can be observed only by person performing behavior)

Basic Terms Appetitive Stimuli Stimuli that an individual will seek out Aversive Stimuli Stimuli that an individual will avoid

Basic Terms Deprivation Prolonged absence of an event, which tends to increase the event’s appeal Satiation Prolonged exposure to an event, which tends to decreases the appeal of that event

Basic Terms Contiguity Temporal continuity: closeness of two events in time Spatial continuity: closeness of two events in space Contingency A predicted relationship between two events

Research Design Descriptive Research Recording detailed observations about a behavior, and the situation that it occurs in Naturalistic Observation Recording of behavior in its natural environment Case Studies Intensive examination of one or a few individuals

Research Design Experimental Research One or more independent variables manipulated in order to show a cause-and- effect relationship between the variable and the behavior of interest Control Group Designs Experiment in which subjects are randomly assigned to a control group or an experimental group Group 1 Food Group 2 No food Experimental Design

Research Design Experimental Research Control Group Designs Advantages: Good for showing cause-and-effect relationships Disadvantages: Requires a large number of subjects Data sometimes analyzed only at end of experiment Ignores individual results (which might be important)

Six experimental conditions (groups of subjects) in a 2 × 3 factorial experiment involving two levels of a “food” variable and three levels of an “age” variable.

Research Design Experimental Research Single-Subject Designs

Simple Comparison (AB) Design

Reversal (ABAB) Design

Two-Treatment Reversal (ABCAC) Design

Problem: Reversal (ABAB) Design

Multiple Baseline Design

Changing Criterion Design

Use of Animals in Behavioral Research Arguments For: Genetic and learning history can be controlled Experimental conditions can be more strictly controlled Some research cannot be ethically conducted in humans Arguments Against: Animals subjects not human, so results may not be applicable to humans Unethical for animals too

Research Ethics Federal guidelines: The “Common Rule” Professional societies recommendations (APA, Society for Neuroscience) Institutional review boards IACUC Journals

Animal Ethical Guidelines Clear purpose and necessity Excellent housing, food and health care Minimal pain and suffering