Questions About Behavior Function | |
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Purpose | assess maladaptive behavior |
The Questions About Behavior Function (QABF) measure is a widely used indirect assessment tool designed to assist mental health practitioners in assessing the function of maladaptive behaviors in individuals diagnosed with a developmental disability. It was co-developed by Johnny Matson. [1] The measure a reporter-based instrument, which relies on information from raters who are familiar with the individual being assessed. As such, parents and caregivers are frequently asked to provide pertinent information. The measure consists of 25 items, each of which ask a question about an individual's behavior and require the rater to respond on a Likert-type rating scale. On the basis of the 25 items, the QABF produces scores in 5 distinct categories: Attention, Escape, Physical, Tangible, and Nonsocial. [2]
The QABF is viewed to have good psychometric properties. Convergent validity between the QABF and the Motivation Assessment Scale (MAS) appears to be strongest, while convergent validity with analogue functional analyses appears to be lower than expected. [3] [4] Research suggests that since many behaviors may be contingent on multiple factors, [5] measures such as the Functional Assessment for Multiple Causality may be better measures of behavioral function than the QABF. [6]
Psychological testing refers to the administration of psychological tests. Psychological tests are administered or scored by trained evaluators. A person's responses are evaluated according to carefully prescribed guidelines. Scores are thought to reflect individual or group differences in the construct the test purports to measure. The science behind psychological testing is psychometrics.
The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) is a standardized psychometric test of adult personality and psychopathology. Psychologists and other mental health professionals use various versions of the MMPI to help develop treatment plans, assist with differential diagnosis, help answer legal questions, screen job candidates during the personnel selection process, or as part of a therapeutic assessment procedure.
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Johnny Lee Matson is a former professor in the Department of Psychology at Louisiana State University recognized for his work in the social sciences. Matson's research topics were development, assessment and treatment of co-morbid conditions in developmental intellectual disabilities, including autism spectrum disorders. Matson's high number of self publications, self citations, and peer review practices have been questioned by social scientists. In 2023 it was reported that Matson had 24 of his research papers retracted due to scientific misconduct.
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