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Chapter 2: Research Methods Basic Terms Measurement of Behavior Research Designs Animal Use
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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
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Basic Terms Operational definition An exact description of an event or behavior that would otherwise be ambiguous
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Measurement of Behavior 1. Rate of response Cumulative Recorder
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Measurement of Behavior 2. Intensity 3. Duration 4. Speed
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Measurement of Behavior 5. Latency 6. Interval recording 7. Time sample recording 8. Topography 9. Number of errors
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Basic Terms Stimulus (S) Any event that can produce a behavior Response (R) A behavior elicited by a stimulus
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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)
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Basic Terms Appetitive Stimuli Stimuli that an individual will seek out Aversive Stimuli Stimuli that an individual will avoid
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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
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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
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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 http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/freud/images/vc009108.jpg http://travel.3yen.com/wp-content/images/714px-japanese_macaque.jpg
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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
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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)
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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.
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Research Design Experimental Research Single-Subject Designs
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Simple Comparison (AB) Design
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Reversal (ABAB) Design
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Two-Treatment Reversal (ABCAC) Design
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Problem: Reversal (ABAB) Design
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Multiple Baseline Design
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Changing Criterion Design
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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
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Research Ethics Federal guidelines: The “Common Rule” Professional societies recommendations (APA, Society for Neuroscience) Institutional review boards IACUC Journals
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Animal Ethical Guidelines Clear purpose and necessity Excellent housing, food and health care Minimal pain and suffering
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