Chapter 7 provides information on behavioral assessments, observational recording systems, good measurement systems, and recording and reporting transitory behavior. Behavioral assessments offer a thorough understanding of behavior which includes examining the relationship of antecedents, parts of the behavior itself, and the outcome (consequence) of the behavior. These assessments include measuring the subjects actual behavior (what they do) in different settings when experiencing a behavioral difficulty. When analysts define and measure a subjects behavior, they will consider all factors, which reinforce and continue the behavior. The last step in the assessment involves a detailed plan that will change or replace the behavior (Mayer, Sulzer-Azaroff …show more content…
Interval Recording: records if a behavior takes place in intervals during specific times.
c. Time Sampling: records if a behavior happens at the end of an interval during a specific time.
d. Duration Recording: records how long a behavior takes place.
e. Latency Recording: records how long it takes for the subject to start the targeted behavior.
An important factor in measuring behavior is having a good measurement system. This system includes sensitive, objective, reliable and valid measurements. For example, reliable measurements occur when they produce the same consequences across repetitive measurements of the same event. This allows behavioral analysts to focus on reliable measurements and objective evaluations of an observable behavior (Mayer et al., 2013).
Chapter 8 describes scheduling behavioral recordings, implementing observational systems, graphing and interpreting behavioral data.
Frequency, duration, and interval recording are different types of behavioral recordings used today. Depending on the behavior the subject demonstrates and what produces the most useful data will determine which recording method to use (Mayer et al., 2013).
a. Frequency recording: Counting the number of times a behavior happens during a specific time