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Find the baseline

Operationalize the target Identify the Identify the

behavior antecedent consequences

Note the place

Note the Time
]ow to Evaluate a Behavior
Modification Program

Multiple
Probe
Designs
Delayed
Baseline
Design
Multiple -Baseline Designs

-demonstrates the effect of

an intervention by 

 

 

accompanies introduction of
the intervention at different
points of time.
Key Feature baseline phase ± determining the
initial level of the behavior prior to
the program

M The multiple-baseline design requires that baseline

behavior is collected on the several people, behaviors,
or settings and then the experimental treatment is
successively administered to the people, behaviors, or
settings.
M The experimental treatment effect is demonstrated if
a change in response occurs when the treatment is
administered to each person, behavior, or setting
Design Variations

different different
behaviors individuals

different
situations
Each behavior is observed
and graphed separately

After the baseline observations , the

intervention is introduced to one
behaviors.

Both behaviors continue to

be observed.

Intervention is also introduced to the other

behaviors so that behaviors now receiving in
the intervention

The effect of the intervention is demonstrated by

showing a pattern of change as the intervention is
introduced
Úample Illustration Multiple Baseline Across
Behaviors
Change in sleep habits of a 4 year old girl with sleep
disorders .The impact of the intervention is demonstrated
in a multiple baseline design across behaviors
After the baseline R



R

 


 
) , 





R
R  
) separately across each of
the different behaviors. Each behavior changed
when the intervention was introduced ;with
some exceptions , behavior change closely
followed the application of the intervention to
that behavior. Consequently the 




 
 



, rather
than more general extraneous influences ,
accounted for that change to the final Phase 3
follow ± up data were gathered .
The child would not fall asleep in her bed and would awaken and engage
in tantrums throughout t he night when placed in her bed.

Areinforcement program was developed in consultation with a therapist but

was carried out by the child¶s parents at home

The intervention consisted of reinforcement (praise, attention ,

candy) for more appropriate sleep behaviors , extinctions of
tantrums and a time out for inappropriate behaviors.

Observations by the parents were obtained

daily for several behaviors .
Advantages

(a) it does not require withdrawing a potentially effective

intervention,
(b) sequential implementation of the independent variable
parallels the practice of many teachers and clinicians,
(c) the concurrent measurement of multiple behaviors
allows direct monitoring of generalization of behavior
change, and
(d) the design is relatively easy to conceptualize and
implement
 ãimitations

(a) if behaviors are not functionally independent, the

design may not demonstrate a functional
relationship even though one may exist,
(b) because verification must be inferred from the
lack of change in other behaviors, the design is
inherently weaker than the reversal design at
demonstrating experimental control,
(c) it is more an evaluation of the independent
variable¶s general effectiveness than an analysis
of the behaviors selected for study,
(d) it requires considerable time and resources.
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Úimilar to multiple baseline designs, data are collected continuously

during the intervention condition of the investigation; however, once a
specified criterion is achieved during intervention, intermittent collection
of data is initiated. .

This design is useful for evaluating the effect of

instruction on skill sequences when it is unlikely that the
subject will master later steps without instruction. It is
also useful for situations where a prolonged baseline
could have negative effects for the subject or the
experiment.
There are practical advantages for using a
multiple probe design, rather than a
multiple baseline design, as it h












R




 
, or a skill has never been
introduced. ]owever, if there is variability in
level or trend across a set of data collected
during probes, the pre-intervention
measurement must be extended until
stability is established, or there is a risk of
confounding results
   
 

-demonstrates the effect of the intervention by

showing that behavior matches a criterion for
performance that is set for either reinforcement
or punishment.
 characteristics

 A baseline is optional, but generally a

good idea to establish that the target
behavior is not changing systematically
before the criterion is adjusted.

 An initial criterion for

consequating the performance is
established at a level that overlaps
with existing performance

 As performances rise (or fall) to meet the

new criterion, the criterion is readjusted in a
series of new contingencies that will ensure
movement of the performance toward target.
ï 

Changing criterion studies will prove particularly useful when:

 The behavior in question is unlikely to change in response to an initial
criterion established at the level of the terminal goal (i.e., 20 seconds, in the
example provided above).
 It is desirable to ³shape´ the final performance through successive
approximations.

 ï 

Case studies are poor choices if:

 The contingencies controlling consequences cannot be easily
manipulated in small increments to successively approximate the goal.
 If there is reason to believe that the contingency goal would work
immediately (i.e., without successive approximations), it is probably
better to use a different design that tests that final goal directly.
Thank You!