Descriptive Assessment
PSY 7712 – Behavior Analytic Assessments (Capella University)
Scenario:
You must perform a descriptive behavior assessment using ABC recording.
Assignment Instructions / Questions:
1. Conduct ABC recording and summarize results.
2. Perform descriptive analysis of behaviors.
3. Evaluate strengths and limitations of descriptive assessments.
4. Propose functional hypotheses for observed behavior.
Deliverables:
A descriptive assessment report (3–4 pages).
, Descriptive Assessment
Capella University
PSY7712 Behavior Analytic Assessments
Scientific Rigor(s) Exemplified by Conducting a Descriptive Assessment
A descriptive assessment exemplifies the scientific rigors of description and prediction
through direct observation of an individual in their natural environment and formulating a
hypothesis of the function of the behavior based on your observations. Description is
exemplified through describing what happened prior to the occurrence of the behavior, as well
as what the behavior looked like, and what happened after the behavior. This is also known as
ABC recording (Tarbox et al., 2009). Prediction is exemplified through utilizing the direct
observations, as well as the ABC data collected to formulate if there were more instances where
one function was absent prior to the behavior and then present after the behavior in order to
hypothesize a function of the behavior (Tarbox et al., 2009).
, When conducting a descriptive assessment, you must first operationally define the
target behavior that you will be observing and how you will be measuring it. Next, you can begin
your observation of the individual in the natural environment. Then, you can collect ABC data
based on the observations you have, which will show you what happened right before the
behavior occurred, and what happened right after. You can then analyze the data through tools
such as the ABC-QA in order to understand what function is possibly maintaining the behavior.
Finally, you can develop a hypothesis for the function of the behavior based on your data
collection.
Benefits and Limitations of a Descriptive Assessment
Some benefits of utilizing a descriptive assessment include being able to observe the
individual in their natural environment (Tarbox, et. al., 2009). This helps to better observe what
the antecedents and consequences are to the behaviors. Another benefit of using a descriptive
assessment is being able to hypothesize possible functions that are maintaining the behavior
PSY 7712 – Behavior Analytic Assessments (Capella University)
Scenario:
You must perform a descriptive behavior assessment using ABC recording.
Assignment Instructions / Questions:
1. Conduct ABC recording and summarize results.
2. Perform descriptive analysis of behaviors.
3. Evaluate strengths and limitations of descriptive assessments.
4. Propose functional hypotheses for observed behavior.
Deliverables:
A descriptive assessment report (3–4 pages).
, Descriptive Assessment
Capella University
PSY7712 Behavior Analytic Assessments
Scientific Rigor(s) Exemplified by Conducting a Descriptive Assessment
A descriptive assessment exemplifies the scientific rigors of description and prediction
through direct observation of an individual in their natural environment and formulating a
hypothesis of the function of the behavior based on your observations. Description is
exemplified through describing what happened prior to the occurrence of the behavior, as well
as what the behavior looked like, and what happened after the behavior. This is also known as
ABC recording (Tarbox et al., 2009). Prediction is exemplified through utilizing the direct
observations, as well as the ABC data collected to formulate if there were more instances where
one function was absent prior to the behavior and then present after the behavior in order to
hypothesize a function of the behavior (Tarbox et al., 2009).
, When conducting a descriptive assessment, you must first operationally define the
target behavior that you will be observing and how you will be measuring it. Next, you can begin
your observation of the individual in the natural environment. Then, you can collect ABC data
based on the observations you have, which will show you what happened right before the
behavior occurred, and what happened right after. You can then analyze the data through tools
such as the ABC-QA in order to understand what function is possibly maintaining the behavior.
Finally, you can develop a hypothesis for the function of the behavior based on your data
collection.
Benefits and Limitations of a Descriptive Assessment
Some benefits of utilizing a descriptive assessment include being able to observe the
individual in their natural environment (Tarbox, et. al., 2009). This helps to better observe what
the antecedents and consequences are to the behaviors. Another benefit of using a descriptive
assessment is being able to hypothesize possible functions that are maintaining the behavior
