Inaccuracies in the estimation of functional relationships using self-monitoring data

When evaluating self-monitoring data, most behavior therapists form subjective estimates of the magnitude of the functional relationships between controlling factors and target behaviors. These estimates are, however, subject to correlation misestimation. In this study, upper-level clinical psychology graduate students were asked to estimate the magnitude of correlations between a set of controlling variables and target behaviors for a hypothetical client. The findings suggested that intuitive correlation estimates among controlling factors and target behaviors are generally inaccurate.