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A psychologist is planning a single-subject reversal design to reduce a client's nail-biting behavior. How should they apply the rule for the baseline phase (Phase A) to establish a valid control condition before introducing the treatment?
Question: A psychologist is planning a single-subject reversal design to reduce a client's nail-biting behavior. How should they apply the rule for the baseline phase (Phase A) to establish a valid control condition before introducing the treatment?
Sample answer: The psychologist must first measure the client's natural level of nail-biting during Phase A before applying the treatment. They must continue this measurement phase until the nail-biting behavior reaches a steady state, establishing a valid baseline control condition.
Key points:
- Measure the client's natural level of nail-biting before any intervention is applied.
- Establish Phase A as a control condition.
- Continue the baseline phase until a steady state of nail-biting behavior is achieved.
- The baseline phase acts as a control condition representing the natural level of nail-biting responding.
Feedback: The response should state that the psychologist needs to measure the client's natural level of nail-biting during Phase A (before treatment) and continue this phase until a steady state of behavior is achieved.
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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU
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A psychologist is planning a single-subject reversal design to reduce a client's nail-biting behavior. How should they apply the rule for the baseline phase (Phase A) to establish a valid control condition before introducing the treatment?