1. Doing Research in Behavior Modification
Chapter 23

2. Introduction Phases of Behavior Modification Program:
Screening phase
Clarifying the problem and determining who should treat it
Baseline phase
Determining the initial level of the behavior
Treatment phase
Intervention strategy is initiated
Follow-up phase
Evaluating the persistence of desirable behavioral changes after the termination of the program
A behavior modification research project attempts to demonstrate convincingly that it is the treatment, rather than some uncontrolled variables, that was responsible for the change in the behavior in question.

3. Reversal-Replication (ABAB) Research Designs
Baseline (A) is followed by treatment (B), return to baseline (A) condition, and then treatment again (B)
Allows for replication of treatment effect
Replication makes it clearer that treatment caused change in behavior

4. Reversal-Replication (ABAB) Research Designs

5. Reversal-Replication (ABAB) Research Designs

6. Reversal-Replication (ABAB) Research Designs
Considerations
How long should the baseline phase last?
Until see stable pattern or trend opposite that is expected from treatment
Shorter baselines in studies of behavior previously researched
Availability of time may shorten baseline time
Ethical considerations
Some behaviors are dangerous, and it may be unethical to leave them untreated for long periods of time
How many reversals and replications are necessary?
Less replications if large effects are observed and a lot of previous research exists in the area
Limitations
Withdrawal of treatment may not lead to return to baseline
Withdrawal may be undesirable or unethical

7. Multiple Baseline Designs
Conduct more than one AB design concurrently with treatments beginning at different times
Useful when reversals cannot be introduced

8. Multiple Baseline Designs
Across behaviors
Baselining several similar behaviors within an individual
Across subjects
Applying the same treatment to the same behavior problems of two or more individuals
Across situations
Baselining one type of behavior for a single individual in more than one setting

9. Multiple Baseline Designs

10. Changing-Criterion Designs
Change over time the criterion for success and look for relationship between criteria changes and behavior change
Can increase or decrease:
Frequency requirements
Rate requirements
Duration requirements
Etc.

11. Changing-Criterion Designs

12. Alternating-Treatment Designs
Compare effects of two or more treatment conditions considerably more rapidly than in ABAB design
Applied at alternating times within the same time period
Also known as multielement design
Does not require reversal
Several treatments can be evaluated at the same time
Disadvantage: treatment effects interaction

13. Data Analysis and Interpretation
Data typically analyzed without control groups and statistical techniques used in other areas of psychology
Behavior modifiers interested in understanding and improving the behavior of individuals, not groups

14. Data Analysis and Interpretation
Evaluate treatments on two basic criteria:
Scientific
Guidelines used by a researcher to evaluate whether or not there has been a convincing demonstration that the treatment was responsible for the changes
Judgment made by visually inspecting the graph of the results.
Guidelines for inspecting data - There is greater confidence that a treatment effect has been observed:
the greater the number of times that results are replicated
the fewer the overlapping points between baseline and treatment phases
the sooner the effect is observed following the introduction of treatment
the larger the effect is in comparison to baseline
the more precisely the treatment procedures are specified
the more reliable the response measures
the more consistent the finding are with the existing data and accepted behavioral theory
Practical
Changes to client, other significant individuals in client’s life, and society in general

15. Data Analysis and Interpretation
Social Validity
Behavior modifiers need to socially validate their work on at least three levels (Wolf, 1978):
Must examine the extent to which target behaviors indentified for treatment programs are really the most important for client and society
Must be concerned with the acceptability to the client of the particular procedures used
Must ensure that the consumers are satisfied with the results