Behavior Observation Scale Research Articles

Behavioral Competency Requirements for Organization Development Consultants

Behavioral event interviews were conducted with twenty-three organization development practitioners ranging in experience from two to more than twenty years and twenty-two client organizations from public and private sectors to generate a set of consultant behaviors judged to be effective and ineffective during organizational interventions. Six general dimensions of competency and a list of fourteen important behavior classes emerged from coding and content analyses of the behavioral events by independent observers. Some behaviors were judged to belong to more than one competency category, although five of the six clusters were dominated by particular behaviors. These data provided the basis for developing a behavior observation scale for assessing consultant skills and intervention effectiveness. This behavioral perspective holds promise for improving organization development training programs and for on-going professional development among consultants, as well as for enhancing client understanding of co...

Assessing the Lecture Performance of University Faculty: A Behavioral Observation Scale

(1989). Assessing the Lecture Performance of University Faculty: A Behavioral Observation Scale. Journal of Education for Business: Vol. 64, No. 4, pp. 157-160.

Diagnostic Assessment of Autism: A Review of Objective Scales

Five objective scales for diagnosis of autism are evaluated with reference to psychometric criteria of reliability (test-retest, interrater, internal consistency) and validity (content, construct, concurrent, discriminant). The five scales are the Diagnostic Checklist for Behavior Disturbed Children (Form E-2), Behavior Observation Scale for Autism, Behavior Rating Instrument for Autistic and Atypical Children, Autism Screening Instrument for Educational Planning, and Childhood Autism Rating Scale. Although all scales have strengths and weaknesses, the Childhood Autism Rating Scale emerges as the strongest scale in terms of demonstrated psychometric properties.

Motorically impaired infants: Impact of a massage procedure on caregiver-infant interactions

The capacity of both the infant and the caregiver to elicit and respond to behaviors in mutually pleasurable ways is vital for the development of attachment behavior and early social development. The objective of this study was to observe interactions between neuromotor-handicapped infants and their caregivers to determine if specialized handling procedures could be utilized by caregivers to enhance appropriate reciprocal attachment-separation behaviors. An attachment-separation behavior observation scale (A-S) was used to measure infant behaviors and contingent caregiver responses relative to attachment behaviors. A massage technique was taught to the caregivers of one-half of a matched group of neuromotor-delayed infants enrolled in an infant stimulation program. Data analysis indicates that while both groups progressed in appropriate contingent attachment-separation behaviors, only the experimental group showed significant change in the caregiver-infant discrepancy score, suggesting that the handling procedures may have facilitated the development of more compatible and positive interactions between caregivers and their infants.

Observed Supervisory Behavior and Teacher Burnout in Special Education

A method for assessing the relationship between supervisory behavior and staff burnout was developed and tested in two schools for mentally retarded children. The method uses a new instrument, the Supervisor Behavior Observation Scale. The two schools involved in the study differed significantly in level of staff burnout, as measured by the Maslach Burnout Inventory, and in supervisory behavior. Specifically, the principal of the low burnout staff interacted less frequently with others and spent less time observing staff in their classrooms. Instead, she spent more time in her office engaged in planning and coordinating activities. She also interacted more with her own superior. The low burnout principal also talked more and listened less, and she spent more time discussing work-related problems but less time discussing administrative issues. She also gave staff more emotional support but spent less time in “small talk” with them.

The presence or absence of certain behaviors associated with infantile autism in severely retarded autistic and nonautistic retarded children and very young normal children.

The modified Behavior Observation Scale adapted from Freeman et al. was used to compare normal, retarded, and autistic children with very low developmental ages and to determine the types of behavior that could differentiate these three diagnostic categories of children. Examination of the data revealed that there was much more overlap between autistic and retarded children than between autistic and normal children. However, a behavioral pattern of autism could be delineated and very retarded autistic children could be distinguished from the nonautistic retarded children. The autistic behavioral pattern included subclusters of symptoms that might be interpreted as disturbances of sensory modulation and motility.

Enhancing social skills and self-perceptions of physically disabled young adults. Assertiveness training versus discussion groups.

This study compared the effectiveness of assertiveness training, discussion-support group, and waiting-list control group experiences in enhancing the social skills and self-perceptions of 30 disabled undergraduates. Assertiveness-training subjects improved more than discussion-and-control group subjects in the content of their social responses as judged by "blind" observers on the Behavioral Observation Scale (BOS) (p < .025). Assertiveness subjects also improved more on the Rathus Assertiveness Schedule (p < .01). No significant group differences were found on the Acceptance of Disability (AD) or on the Assertion Inventory scores. A strong association (r = .81) was found between judges' ratings of assertiveness on the BOS and subjects' self-ratings on the Rathus (p < .001). Significant correlations were also found between BOS and AD scores and between AD scores and duration of disability (p < .05).

An observation scale for measuring children's distress during medical procedures.

The current state-of-the-art in the area of assessing pain and anxiety experienced by children undergoing painful medical procedures remains at a rudimentary level. Early studies in the preparation literature included global Likert-type rating scales of children’s distress and cooperative behaviors (Visintainer & Wolfer, 1975; Wolfer & Visintainer, 1979). More recent studies have focused on the development of more objective and operationalized behavioral observation scales which have been used specifically to measure distress in pediatric cancer patients undergoing bone marrow aspirations (BMAs) and lumbar punctures (LPs) (Jay, in press; Jay & Elliott, 1984; Jay, Ozolins, Elliott, & Caldwell, 1983; Katz, Kellerman, & Siegel, 1980; LeBaron & Zeltzer, 1984). For example, Katz et al. (1980) developed the Procedure Behavior Rating Scale (PBRS) which consisted of 13 operationally defined behaviors that were recorded as present or absent during bone marrow aspirations. The PBRS was found to be a reliable instrument and preliminary validity data (i.e., nurse ratings) were also encouraging. LeBaron and Zeltzer (1984) presented additional validity data on an eight-item version of the PBRS which they labeled the Procedure Behavior Check List.

114 INTRACRANIAL ABNORMALITIES IN PRETERM INFANTS, FOLLOW-UP AT AGE 3

Intracranial abnormalities may be demonstrated by ultrasound in 20 to 60 % of all sick preterm infants. The significance of these lesions for neurodevelopmental outcome is not yet fully understood. We studied the relationship between neonatal and one year ultrasound images of the brain and neurodevelopmental outcome at age 3. 107 preterm infants (gestational ages 26 to 35 weeks M=31, birthweights 850 to 3880 grams M=1440) were studied, 52 had normal neonatal cranial ultrasound scans, 28 had abnormal neonatal scans without (abnormal -) and 27 with (abnormal +) ventricular dilatation. A repeat scan was made at one year to visualize the endstage of neonatal lesions : 3 of the 52 children with normal neonatal scans and 19 of the 55 children with abnormal neonatal scans and abnormal scans at 1 year. All abnormal scans showed ventricular dilatation, indicating persistant posthaemorrhagic dilation and/or cerebral atrophy. At age 3 (3, 4 to 3, 11 years M=3, 8) we assessed: neurologic and motor function (Touwen), cognitive function (Stanford-Binet), language development (Reynell), and behaviour (a behavioural observation scale, adapted from the BSQ of Richman and Graham). Six of the 8 children with large hemorrhages extending into the parenchyma (ICH) and 3 of the 4 with cystic periventricular leucomalacia (PVL) had cerebral palsy. 3 of the 4 children with PVL had IQ's < -2SD and severe behavioural problems. CONCLUSION: 1. There is a significant overrepresentation of abnormal children in the group with ventricular dilation at 0 and 1 year. 2. The incidence of cerebral palsy is high in the group of children with ICH and/or PVL, in the group of children with PVL there is also a great risk of mental retardation and severe behavioural disturbances.

THE PRACTICALITY OF BEHAVIORAL OBSERVATION SCALES, BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATION SCALES, AND TRAIT SCALES

The practicality of three appraisal instruments were measured in terms of user preference, namely, behavioral observation scales (BOS), behavioral expectation scales (BES), and trait scales. A questionnaire containing items pertaining to differentiating good from poor performers, objectivity, providing feedback, suggesting training needs, and ease of use was administered to managers and their subordinates. In all instances, BOS were preferred to BES, and in all but two instances, BOS were viewed as superior to trait scales. Trait scales were felt to be as good if not better than BES. A second questionnaire administered to attorneys indicated that BOS would be easier to defend in the courtroom than either BES or trait scales.

Identifying Coping Strategies in Children

This study attempted to identify coping strategies in children undergoing stressful dental treatment. Exploratory observations and interviews were conducted with children visiting the dentist. Based upon the coping and cognitive-behavioral literature and upon the exploratory data, nine categories of coping were identified. A Behavioral Coping Observation Scale and a Cognitive Coping Interview were then developed and administered to 30 children visiting the dentist, 8-10 years of age. Both scales were found to have good interrater reliability. Normative data are presented. All nine coping categories were represented in the sample, and every child utilized at least two cognitive coping responses and one behavioral coping response. The average child in the study employed a variety of coping strategies. There was a relationship between age and type of coping strategy used. Low correlations between individual cognitive coping categories and significant correlations between individual categories and total copin...

Another Look at “Do Behavioral Observation Scales Measure Observation?”

Murphy, Martin, and Garcia in 1982 published a study suggesting that Behavioral Observation Scales do not measure observation. The purpose of the present study was to extend that work by comparing two commonly used rating instruments. 59 undergraduate students rated two instructors immediately after a class session and 1-wk. later. Ratings were made on Behavioral Observation Scales, Behavioral Expectation Scales, and trait scales. A 1-wk. delay in making performance ratings had no significant effect on the correlation of scores on Behavioral Observation Scales or Behavioral Expectation Scales with trait ratings of performance.

Behavioral observation scales for measuring children's distress: the effects of increased methodological rigor.

Behavioral observation scales for measuring children's distress: the effects of increased methodological rigor.

Behavioral observation scales for measuring children's distress: The effects of increased methodological rigor.

Behavioral observation scales for measuring children's distress: The effects of increased methodological rigor.

The assessment of autistic children: a selective review of available instruments.

This review examines five measures specifically designed to assess autistic symptomatology: Rimland's Diagnostic Checklist for Behavior-Disturbed Children, the Behavior Rating Instrument for Autistic and Atypical Children, the Behavior Observation Scale for Autism, the Childhood Autism Rating Scale, and the Autism Behavior Checklist. Available studies of reliability and validity issues are discussed. Reliability indices for all scales, except Rimland's Diagnostic Checklist, are at acceptable levels. Each scale has been found to suffer from a lack of demonstrated discriminant and/or content validity. Recommendations for future research are provided.

Effects of psychological preparation on children hospitalized for dental operations

We studied the effect of preoperative preparation on stress reduction in children hospitalized for dental surgery under general anesthesia. Participants were 45 children, 3 and 4 years of age, with no previous hospital-surgery experience and no history of medical or psychological conditions requiring special care. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of three experimental groups: control, receiving no preoperative preparation; unrelated play therapy, receiving a preoperative play session unrelated to hospital or surgical procedures; and related play therapy, receiving a preoperative play session focusing on hospital and surgical procedures. Subjects' behavior was assessed using behavior observation scales for cooperation and upset at seven stress points: admission, nurse's examination, pediatric medical examination, blood test, preoperative injection, transfer to surgery, and induction. The related play therapy group was more cooperative and less upset than either the unrelated play therapy group or the control group across stress points. No significant heart rate differences were found among the three groups. The results suggest that play therapy related to hospital and surgical procedures can alleviate stress and anxiety in 3- and 4-year-old children.

BEHAVIORAL OBSERVATION SCALES AND THE EVALUATION OF PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL EFFECTIVENESS

An earlier article by the present authors (Bernardin and Kane, 1980) pointed out a serious flaw in the conceptual basis of Behavioral Observation Scales (BOS). The present article explains this flaw in more detail and shows that its solution would make BOS indistinguishable from other methods already in existence. The focus then shifts from the conception of appraisal methods to their evaluation with the presentation of a discussion of the special problems of error capitalization that arise in the use of item analysis in the development of multi‐item rating scales. This discussion proceeds to describe the correct approach to removing the effects of error capitalization in the evaluation of the psychometric properties of such rating scales.

EFFECTS OF TRAINING AND RATING SCALES ON RATING ERRORS

Ninety business students were randomly assigned to one of three conditions where they used behavioral observation scales (BOS), behavioral expectation scales (BES), or trait scales in observing people on videotape. Half the individuals received four hours of training to minimize rating errors. Rating errors were reduced significantly regardless of the rating scale that was used. However, behavioral criteria were more resistant to rating errors than trait scales. There was no significant difference between BOS and BES on this dimension. With regard to practicality, BOS were evaluated as significantly better than BES and trait scales. BES and trait scales did not differ significantly on this measure.

Do behavioral observation scales measure observation?

Do behavioral observation scales measure observation?

Do behavioral observation scales measure observation?

Do behavioral observation scales measure observation?