PSYC 331 FINAL EXAMS 2026/2027 QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS RATED A+
✔✔Defining the target behavior and examples? - ✔✔definition should be precise and
tailored to the individual's concern
examples = stuttering, studying, having a tantrum
✔✔Additional points in defining a target behavior? - ✔✔1. should be described in terms
of something that DOES happen, as opposed to something that doesn't...instead of
saying that a person is "not sleeping" or "not eating" focus on what the person IS doing
during those times
2. the definition should help resolve ambiguous instances...should indicate how the
observer will differentiate actual fighting form play fighting, or actual studying form
appearing to study
✔✔precise definitions in defining the target behavior key points: - ✔✔1. reduce the
potential effects of subjectivity bias
2. make it easier for others to replicate the procedure
✔✔Applied research - ✔✔Research that examines the effectiveness of a behavior
modification procedure; graphs the data and performs a visual assessment of the
results
✔✔Applied practice - ✔✔therapist performs a direct and/or indirect assessment in order
to understand the causes of an individual's behavior; help the therapist and client to
identify and discuss appropriate goals for the intervention
✔✔What is the benefit in having an extended baseline in applied research? -
✔✔establishes stable data patterns, strengthens validity, prevents premature
interventions
✔✔What is the benefit of continuing the treatment for so long? - ✔✔allows for deeper
restructuring of brain habits, reduces risk of relapse
✔✔In applied research, how can we be certain that the treatment was actually
effective? - ✔✔Go in with several approaches
✔✔Steps in applied research? - ✔✔1. Identify target behavior (arranging and ordering)
2. Make observations (10 min sessions, record arranging and ordering)
3. Intervention (the method - participants given items to arrange and order)
✔✔Treatment can be ____ over time; it can evolve as we treat the patient - ✔✔modified
✔✔Effective interventions create ____ effects. - ✔✔immediate
, ✔✔Why do we return back to baseline? - ✔✔We must prove that the treatment is
changing behavior, not because of external factors in patient's life.
✔✔Single-subject research designs - ✔✔focus on how to develop & implement
interventions that are tailored to the individual
✔✔Main potential issue with single-subject research design? - ✔✔behavior can change
over time for multiple reasons
✔✔To evaluate single-subject research, one should monitor ____ the behavior
changes, and ____ those changes occur. - ✔✔how much, when
✔✔We can use more than one participant to show that the effect can be replicated in
what research design? - ✔✔single-subject resesarch
✔✔Nomenclature for single-subject research designs: A, B, C+ - ✔✔A: First condition, a
baseline condition
B: Second condition, a treatment condition
C: Optional treatment conditions
✔✔Baseline condition - ✔✔A in single-subject research designs
✔✔Treatment condition - ✔✔B in single-subject research designs
✔✔AB design - ✔✔baseline condition precedes a treatment condition
✔✔Reversal design (ABAB) - ✔✔there is more than one baseline condition; not
required, but good to further prove evidence
✔✔Multiple baseline design - ✔✔transition points between conditions occur at varying
times; doesn't matter when treatment starts, shows that implemented treatment is
causing behavior change
✔✔Changing criterion design - ✔✔baseline is followed by the treatment; during
treatment requirements are gradually changed
✔✔Environmental effects involve both the ____ that precede the behavior and the ____
that results from behavior - ✔✔circumstances, outcome
✔✔Three-term contingency - ✔✔A (antecedent) = the situation
B = behavior
C (consequence) = the outcome
SOLUTIONS RATED A+
✔✔Defining the target behavior and examples? - ✔✔definition should be precise and
tailored to the individual's concern
examples = stuttering, studying, having a tantrum
✔✔Additional points in defining a target behavior? - ✔✔1. should be described in terms
of something that DOES happen, as opposed to something that doesn't...instead of
saying that a person is "not sleeping" or "not eating" focus on what the person IS doing
during those times
2. the definition should help resolve ambiguous instances...should indicate how the
observer will differentiate actual fighting form play fighting, or actual studying form
appearing to study
✔✔precise definitions in defining the target behavior key points: - ✔✔1. reduce the
potential effects of subjectivity bias
2. make it easier for others to replicate the procedure
✔✔Applied research - ✔✔Research that examines the effectiveness of a behavior
modification procedure; graphs the data and performs a visual assessment of the
results
✔✔Applied practice - ✔✔therapist performs a direct and/or indirect assessment in order
to understand the causes of an individual's behavior; help the therapist and client to
identify and discuss appropriate goals for the intervention
✔✔What is the benefit in having an extended baseline in applied research? -
✔✔establishes stable data patterns, strengthens validity, prevents premature
interventions
✔✔What is the benefit of continuing the treatment for so long? - ✔✔allows for deeper
restructuring of brain habits, reduces risk of relapse
✔✔In applied research, how can we be certain that the treatment was actually
effective? - ✔✔Go in with several approaches
✔✔Steps in applied research? - ✔✔1. Identify target behavior (arranging and ordering)
2. Make observations (10 min sessions, record arranging and ordering)
3. Intervention (the method - participants given items to arrange and order)
✔✔Treatment can be ____ over time; it can evolve as we treat the patient - ✔✔modified
✔✔Effective interventions create ____ effects. - ✔✔immediate
, ✔✔Why do we return back to baseline? - ✔✔We must prove that the treatment is
changing behavior, not because of external factors in patient's life.
✔✔Single-subject research designs - ✔✔focus on how to develop & implement
interventions that are tailored to the individual
✔✔Main potential issue with single-subject research design? - ✔✔behavior can change
over time for multiple reasons
✔✔To evaluate single-subject research, one should monitor ____ the behavior
changes, and ____ those changes occur. - ✔✔how much, when
✔✔We can use more than one participant to show that the effect can be replicated in
what research design? - ✔✔single-subject resesarch
✔✔Nomenclature for single-subject research designs: A, B, C+ - ✔✔A: First condition, a
baseline condition
B: Second condition, a treatment condition
C: Optional treatment conditions
✔✔Baseline condition - ✔✔A in single-subject research designs
✔✔Treatment condition - ✔✔B in single-subject research designs
✔✔AB design - ✔✔baseline condition precedes a treatment condition
✔✔Reversal design (ABAB) - ✔✔there is more than one baseline condition; not
required, but good to further prove evidence
✔✔Multiple baseline design - ✔✔transition points between conditions occur at varying
times; doesn't matter when treatment starts, shows that implemented treatment is
causing behavior change
✔✔Changing criterion design - ✔✔baseline is followed by the treatment; during
treatment requirements are gradually changed
✔✔Environmental effects involve both the ____ that precede the behavior and the ____
that results from behavior - ✔✔circumstances, outcome
✔✔Three-term contingency - ✔✔A (antecedent) = the situation
B = behavior
C (consequence) = the outcome
