Behavior Assignment
trx450rmb
lecture_5-2013.pdf
Research Methods Chapter 2
1. Basic Term Review
2. Measuring Behaviour
3. Various Research Designs
4. Animal Research
Measuring Behaviour - Recording Methods
1. Rate of response - often called frequency # of behavioural responses per unit time
2. Intensity - magnitude of the behavioural response
3. Duration - length of time that behaviour is performed Total duration = total length of performance Mean duration = accumulation of several performances
4. Latency - length of time required for behaviour to begin
5. Interval Recording - if a behaviour occurs within a set interval
6. Time-Sample Recording - if a behaviour occurs within a series of intervals
Research Designs WE know the variables to use..............how to measure them.......HOW do we organize it all?
Descriptive Research ‣simply describing behaviour ‣NO manipulation
A. Naturalistic Observation
Stone Handling in Macaques
B. Case Studies
Correlational!
Research Designs
Experimental Research ‣looking for cause and effect relationships ‣manipulation of independent variable
A. Control Groups Design
One group = treatment One group = no treatment
A. Control Groups Design
Comparative design between species
Research Designs A. Control Groups Design
Disadvantages ‣averages across MANY individuals ‣need large sample sizes ‣comparisons across species may not be accurate
B
Research Designs Experimental Research
B. Single-Subject Designs - requires one or only a few subjects
Simple Comparison Design: baseline vs. treatment
A
Research Designs Experimental Research
B. Single-Subject Designs
Reversal Design: repeated alternations between baseline and treatment
B
A
B
A
Two-Treatment Reversal Design: repeated alternations between baseline and treatment
B
A
Treatment 1
Treatment 2 C
A
C
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
1. Behaviour MUST revert to baseline 2. Long-lasting effects will confuse results 3. Ethical considerations
Alternatives???
1. Entire experiment with one subject 2. Generalization is possible with additional subjects 3. Can assess effectiveness of treatment
Research Designs Experimental Research
C. Multiple-Baseline Design - treatment started successively for two or more people/behaviours
Baseline Treatment Week 2Treatment Week 1
Baseline Treatment Week 3
No WITHDRAWING!
Baseline
Research Designs Experimental Research
D. Changing-Criterion Design - measures a gradual change over time
10 smokes/day FOR 3 DAYS
Baseline 12 smokes/day
8 smokes/day FOR 3 DAYS
6 smokes/day FOR 3 DAYS
Animals in Behavioural Research
Main advantages: 1. Control genetic makeup and learning history
2. More strictly control experiment
3. Cannot be ethically conducted on humans
Research Ethics Potential to inflict harm on or deceive subjects = ethical concerns
CCAC - Canadian Council on the Care of Animals
The Three Rs Replacement alternatives avoid or replace the use of animals
Reduction alternatives strategy that results in fewer animals used Refinement alternatives modification of procedures to minimize distress
Silver Spring Monkeys
Research Ethics
Elicited Behaviours And Classical Conditioning
Chapter 3
1. Elicited Behaviours Reflexes
2. Mechanisms of Learning
3. Classical Conditioning Pavlov Basic Procedures
Elicited Behaviour
Elicit is to draw out or bring forth
1. Behaviour is automatic 2. Drawn out by particular stimulus
Basic form is a REFLEX
Reflex......... simple automatic response to stimulus
Can involve a few or many coordinated muscle movements
E.G. Startle Response
E.G. Acoustic startle response in mice
E.G. Orienting Response
A movement response to novelty
E.G. Flexion Response
Reflex arc is the neural structure underlying reflexes
Consists of...... 1. Sensory neuron 2. Interneuron 3. Motor neuron
E.G. Patellar Reflex
1. quadricep stretches - sensory neuron 2. motor neuron - tightens quadricep 3. interneuron - inhibits and relaxes hamstring
