Behavioral Assessment Pertemuan 10 Matakuliah: Psikologi Diagnostik Tahun: 2010

Behavioral Assessment Core assumptions : behavior can be most effectively understood by focusing on preceding events and resulting consequence Emphasis that behavioral assessment places on situational determinants of behavior In contrast, traditional assessment is often perceived as more likely to view behavior as the result of enduring, underlying traits. Thus Behavioral assessments are more direct, utilitarian, and functional Bina Nusantara University 3

Behavioral Assessment A typical behavioral assessment might include specific measures of behavior (overt and covert), antecedents (internal and external), conditions surrounding behaviors, and consequences. This knowledge can then be used to specify methods for changing relevant behaviors. Although some behavioral assessors might take selected personality traits into account, these traits would be considered relevant only if they had direct implications for therapy Bina Nusantara University 4

Behavioral Assessment: Scope and strategies The behavioral approach stresses that different behavior disorders are typically expressed in a variety of modes incl. overt behaviors, cognitions, changes in physiological states, and patterns of verbal expressions. Different assessment strategies should be used for each of these modes : behavioral interviewing, behavioral observation, measurement of relevant cognitions, psychophysiological assessment, and a variety of self- report inventories. Bina Nusantara University 5

History and Development Mid- to late 1960s The earliest forms of behavioral assessment focused almost exclusively on observable behaviors Although organismic variables such as cognitions, feelings, and psychophysiological responses were acknowledged, they were not considered important influences on behavior and, as a result, were not stressed in assessment and treatment. Consistent with the then-dominant operant conditioning paradigm in that it focused on identifying discrete behavioral responses, target behaviors, and reinforcers that could change specific behaviors Bina Nusantara University 6

Assets and Limitations Relevance toward treatment Any measurement of problem behaviors is usually directly tied to how these behaviors can be changed. Offers a wide range of possible techniques for use in extremely varied contexts incl. self-reports, naturalistic observation, physiological monitoring, structured observation, and self-monitoring Bina Nusantara University 7

Behavioral assessment is particularly appropriate when a presenting problem is determined primarily by environmental factors. In most cases, a clear, functional relationship (environmental interaction) can be established. However, quite unique behavior that occurs infrequently (i.e., violation of drugs or firearms in schools) may be much more difficult to measure and monitor In addition, behavioral assessment is somewhat less relevant when environmental factors account for a smaller portion of the variance. This may be the case when organic factors may be more important than environmental ones. accuracy of behavioral observation and interviewing can be distorted Bina Nusantara University 8 Assets and Limitations