Glossary / Lexicon

Deutsch: Basislinie / Español: Línea Base / Português: Linha de Base / Français: Ligne de Base / Italiano: Linea di Base /

Baseline refers to a measured rate of a Behavior before introduction of an Intervention that allows comparison and Assessment of the effects of the intervention.

So the baseline is the period in which a participant is observed prior to being given treatment, the purpose being to document the frequency of the target behavior.

Description

In psychology, a baseline refers to the initial measurement or observation taken before any interventions are introduced. It serves as a point of reference for comparison during an experiment or treatment. Baselines are used to establish a starting point for assessing changes or progress over time. They provide a standard against which future data can be evaluated. Baselines are crucial for researchers and clinicians to track developments and determine the effectiveness of their interventions. Without a baseline, it would be challenging to measure the impact of any psychological intervention accurately.

Application Areas

• Clinical psychology
• Behavioral therapy
• Psychological assessments
• Research studies
• Educational psychology

Treatment and Risks

• Using a baseline helps in developing appropriate treatment plans for individuals.
• However, not establishing an accurate baseline may result in incorrect conclusions about the effectiveness of interventions.

Examples

• Measuring anxiety levels before and after a therapy session to determine its efficacy.
• Recording the frequency of certain behaviors in a child with ADHD before implementing a behavior management plan.
• Assessing memory performance in older adults before and after a memory training program.

Similar Concepts and Synonyms

• Reference point
• Pre-intervention measurement
• Control condition
• Baseline assessment

Weblinks

• environment-database.eu: 'Baseline' in the glossary of the environment-database.eu

Articles with 'Baseline' in the title

• Multiple baseline approach: Multiple baseline approach is a term in behavioral research which is defined as the observation of different dependent variables in a person over the course of treatment, or observing the behavior as it occurs under different conditions
• Multiple baseline design: Multiple baseline design is defined as a single-Case experimental design in which measures are taken on two (2) or more behaviors or on a single behavior in two (2) or more situations
• Multiple-baseline design: Multiple-baseline design refers to a type of single-subject design that begins with two (2) simultaneous Baseline phases, then initiates a treatment for one baseline, and at a later t- ime, initiates the treatment for the second baseline- a . . .
• Multiple-Baseline Design: Multiple-Baseline Design refers to a single-case experimental design in which the effect of a treatment is shown by demonstrating that behaviors in more than one baseline change as a result of the institution of a treatment
• Multiple-baseline across behaviors: Multiple-baseline across behaviors refers to a Multiple-baseline design in which the initial Baseline phases correspond to two (2) separate behaviors for the same participant
• Multiple-baseline across situations: Multiple-baseline across situations refers to a multiple-baseline study in which the initial Baseline phases correspond to the same Behavior in two (2) separate situations
• Multiple-baseline across subjects: Multiple-baseline across subjects refers to a multiple-baseline study in which the initial Baseline phases correspond to two (2) separate participants
• Baseline observations: Baseline observations is a term used in a single-subject research study that refer to series of observations or measurements made while no treatment is being administered
• Baseline phase: Baseline phase: Baseline phase is a term used in a single-subject research study that refers to a series of baseline observations identified by the letter A

Summary

A baseline in psychology provides a crucial starting point for measuring change or progress in various psychological contexts. It is a fundamental concept used in research, clinical practice, and therapeutic interventions to establish a reference point for comparison. Without a baseline, it would be challenging to determine the effectiveness of treatments or interventions accurately. By establishing a baseline measurement, psychologists can track developments over time and make informed decisions about the best course of action for their clients or research subjects.

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