Question

Answer the following question with your best knowledge in Psychology of personality. Minimum 4 lines for each part for full credit (5 points)

a. List Sattler’s four Pillars of Assessment.

b.List the four primary functions of behavior discussed in class.

Answer 1

1)The purpose of psychological assessment is to discern the status of an individual in relation to an appropriate peer group. Jerome Sattler discerns four pillars of child assessment as norm-referenced tests, interviews, observations, and informal assessment. This is a broader list than many referral sources would recognize, as typically "tests" are all that might be considered as psychological assessment or evaluation. However, a central tenet in psychology is that test scores or results cannot be interpreted in isolation. Information from naturalistic settings must be sought through the methods of interview, observations, and informal assessments, as enumerated by Sattler.

2)

The four functions of behavior are sensory stimulation, escape, access to attention and access to tangibles. BCBA Megan Graves explains the four functions with a description and example for each function.

• Sensory Stimulation: “A person’s own movements/actions feel good to that individual. For example, a child twirls his or her hair as they sit for an extended amount of time. If twirling hair gives that individual the sensory input they are seeking, then hair twirling will continue.”
• Escape: “Something is (or signals) an undesirable situation and the person wants to get away from it. For example, a therapist says, ‘Wash your hands,’ and the learner runs out of the bathroom.”
• Access to Attention: “Someone desires for access to social interaction(s). For example, the child screams, ‘Look at me!’ If screaming gets access to attention, then screaming will continue.”
• Access to Tangibles: “Someone wants access to a specific item or activity. For example, Michelle takes the iPad away from Aaron, so Aaron pinches her. If pinching gets access to the iPad, then pinching will continue