Operant behavioral consultations as conducted by master's and doctoral level psychologists in Virginia

Abstract

Compared the similarities and differences between the steps engaged in by master's and doctoral level school psychologists in Virginia as they conducted operant behavioral consultations. The data used in the comparisons came from a questionnaire completed by 42 master's level psychologists and 24 doctoral level psychologists. Two of the 12 major steps in conducting operant behavioral case consultations revealed significant differences, with the doctoral psychologists reporting a higher frequency of baseline observations being conducted and a greater frequency of observation during treatment. The doctoral psychologists also reported committing almost three times as much time to each case as did the master's level psychologists. Some discussion and questions are raised with regard to the implications of the above differences in relation to efficiency and outcomes of interventions by both groups.