If you have ever shopped online, you probably have some familiarity with the value of ratings. Items are often ranked based on customer reviews, and you may choose to consider products by first considering their ratings.

Psychologists use a variety of tools and techniques to assess behavior, but one of the more established techniques is also based on ratings. Behavior rating scales are typically used to assess problem behaviors and social skills. They are often used to assess behavior in children by creating a scale that can help quantitatively measure the behavior being observed, allowing the observer to rank behaviors in terms of intensity, frequency, duration, or other such measures.

For this Discussion, the writer will analyze two existing behavior rating scales. You will also consider how you would apply these scales in your practice.

• Review the Learning Resources for this week, as well as the required weekly media programs to gain an understanding of behavioral rating scales. Note: It is critical for you to review all media for this week prior to completing this Discussion.
• Two of the most common behavior rating scales are the Behavioral Assessment System for Children (3rd ed.) and the Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment (formally called the Child Behavior Checklist, CBCL). Using the Walden Library databases, access the Mental Measurements Yearbook (MMY) and look up and review both of these rating scales. (Note: You will find the reference for this source in this week's Learning Resources.)

Post your response to the following:

1. Provide descriptions of each scale, including what measures, age range, and other pertinent information are available in the MMY review.
2. Describe how you would possibly use each scale in your practice.
3. Elaborate on the uses of behavior rating scales in the practice of behavior analysis.