Randomization tests as alternative analysis methods for behavior‐analytic data

Randomization statistics offer alternatives to many of the statistical methods commonly used in behavior analysis and the psychological sciences, more generally. These methods are more flexible than conventional parametric and nonparametric statistical techniques in that they make no assumptions about the underlying distribution of outcome variables, are relatively robust when applied to small‐n data sets, and are generally applicable to between‐groups, within‐subjects, mixed, and single‐case research designs. In the present article, we first will provide a historical overview of randomization methods. Next, we will discuss the properties of randomization statistics that may make them particularly well suited for analysis of behavior‐analytic data. We will introduce readers to the major assumptions that undergird randomization methods, as well as some practical and computational considerations for their application. Finally, we will demonstrate how randomization statistics may be calculated for mixed and single‐case research designs. Throughout, we will direct readers toward resources that they may find useful in developing randomization tests for their own data.     

Studies of wheel-running reinforcement: parameters of Herrnstein's (1970) response-strength equation vary with schedule order

Six male Wistar rats were exposed to different orders of reinforcement schedules to investigate if estimates from Herrnstein's (1970) single-operant matching law equation would vary systematically with schedule order. Reinforcement schedules were arranged in orders of increasing and decreasing reinforcement rate. Subsequently, all rats were exposed to a single reinforcement schedule within a session to determine within-session changes in responding. For each condition, the operant was lever pressing and the reinforcing consequence was the opportunity to run for 15 s. Estimates of k and R(O) were higher when reinforcement schedules were arranged in order of increasing reinforcement rate. Within a session on a single reinforcement schedule, response rates increased between the beginning and the end of a session. A positive correlation between the difference in parameters between schedule orders and the difference in response rates within a session suggests that the within-session change in response rates may be related to the difference in the asymptotes. These results call into question the validity of parameter estimates from Herrnstein's (1970) equation when reinforcer efficacy changes within a session.     

An evaluation of the agreement between the conservative dual‐criterion method and expert visual analysis

The conservative dual‐criterion (CDC) method was developed to standardize the analysis of single‐subject experimental designs data, but to date its accuracy has been evaluated only by comparing results to the statistical parameters of graphs. Our study investigated agreement between expert visual analysts and the CDC method on 66 AB tiers from published multiple baseline graphs. We found strong agreement between the two methods for certain types of graphs and discuss implications of the findings and areas for future research.     

Cues produced by reward and nonreward and temporal cues influence responding in the intertrial interval and to the conditioned stimulus

Rats in a Pavlovian situation were trained under three different reward schedules, at either a 30 s or a 90 s intertrial interval (ITI): Consistent reward (C), 50% irregular reward (I), and single alternation of reward and nonrewarded trials (SA). Activity was recorded to the conditioned stimulus (CS) and in all 10 s bins in each ITI except the first 10 s bin. Responding increased progressively over the bins of the 90 s ITI indicating a role for temporal cues in the ITI. Single alternation patterning (SAP), more vigorous responding on rewarded than on nonrewarded trials, occurred in the ITI as well as to the CS and differed little at the 30 s and 90 s ITI. The occurrence of SAP to the CS and, as shown here for the first time, in the ITI along with the findings for the C and I schedules, indicate three matters of importance. First, along with other cues such as temporal cues, behavior is influenced by cues associated with reward and nonreward both in the ITI and when the CS is presented. Second, as the percentage of reward associated with these cues increases so too does vigor of responding. Finally, if the cues produced by reward events are memories the retrieval cues for such memories are present in the ITI as well as when the CS is presented. Considerations are advanced indicating that reward produced cues may influence responding in the Pavlovian situation not only under regular schedules such as the SA schedule, but under all schedules. Indeed, such cues may more validly signal reward and nonreward than the CS itself.     

Relationship quality and accuracy of detecting a romantic partner's fear of being single

How attuned are romantic partners to each other’s fear of being single, and is accuracy associated with relationship quality? In this study, 104 couples reported their fear of being single, perceptions of their partner’s fear of being single, and relationship quality. Partners had significant accuracy when judging fear of being single, but a tendency toward overestimation. Partners also were not systematically similar and did not project their own fears onto partners. Tracking accuracy was positively associated with some aspects of the perceiver’s relationship quality, but not with the target’s relationship quality. Mean-level bias was largely unassociated with relationship quality for the perceiver or target, except for lower investment from the target when the perceiver over-estimated their fear of being single.     

African American Single Mothers and Children in Context: A Review of Studies on Risk and Resilience

This paper presents a comprehensive review of research linking single-parent family structure to parenting processes, maternal well-being, and child developmental outcomes among African Americans. The approaches used to study these families, related methodological and conceptual concerns, and the factors linked to maternal well-being, effective parenting processes, family functioning, and child outcomes are addressed. Much work remains to be done on conceptualizing and assessing parenting processes among African Americans in general and single African American mothers in particular. Researchers must examine more carefully the circumstances that foster or impede successful parenting among these mothers. Studies also are needed to disentangle the interactions between economic stress and parenting behavior and to determine the extent to which the findings can be applied to middle-income single African American parents.     

心理疾病内隐污名：来自单类内隐联想测验的证据

以61名大学生为被试,采用三个独立的单类内隐联想测验（SC-IAT）考察心理疾病内隐污名的构成及其内隐效应。结果发现：（1）在认知评价、情感反应、行为倾向及其三者合并的4个SC-IATs中,被试在相容任务上的反应时均显著快于不相容任务;（2）总的SC-IAT和三个独立SC-IAT的内隐效应显著;（3）65.27%的被试的内隐效应值大于0,表现出对心理疾病患者负面的内隐态度;（4）研究采用的心理疾病内隐污名SC-IAT具有较好的信、效度指标。研究表明,被试倾向于将心理疾病与消极词联结在一起,心理疾病污名的内隐效应显著;心理疾病内隐污名包括自动化的负面认知、消极情感反应和歧视倾向。     

出国务工人员子女社会技能的情绪成分与归因研究

了解出国务工人员子女的社会技能的情绪成分和归因特点对单亲家庭子女的社会交际和教育有重要意义。本研究选取福州连江瑁头镇中心小学学生作被试,发现出国务工人员子女具有比较明显的外部归因倾向,有较高焦虑感和孤独感。     

单一因果关系因果力判断研究述评

简单因果归纳包括自下而上的材料驱动的加工和自上而下的因果知识驱动加工两个方面。简单因果归纳的多数理论模型强调自下而上的材料驱动的加工,这些模型又存在联想解释与计算解释的基本区分。最后,概述了单一因果关系因果力判断研究的基本问题：因果力判断的主要影响因素和过程机制、研究的方法问题。     

不同学习方式下归类不确定时的特征推理

采用学习-迁移模式, 探讨了同时学习和继时学习两种方式下归类不确定时的特征推理。共包括2个实验, 其中实验1探讨了固定学习轮次的情况, 实验2探讨了固定学习正确率的情况。实验结果表明：同时呈现类别要素的同时学习方式下, 被试习得序列式的单类别表征(原型表征), 在归类不确定时的特征推理中按照“单类的Bayesian规则”进行特征推理, 即P(j\F) =P(k\F)·P(j\k); 相继呈现类别要素的继时学习方式下, 被试习得并列式的多类别表征, 在归类不确定时的特征推理中按照“理性模型”进行推理, 即 P(j\F) =Σk P(k\F)·P(j\k)。