Transcript Chapter 1 Introduction to Behavior Modification

Introduction
Chapter 1
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What Is Behavior?
“Anything a person says or does”
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Withdrawal
Tardiness
Littering
Ineffective studying
Writing a novel
Speeding
Phobias
Migraines
Staff Management
Athletic performance
Adapting in a personal care home
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What Is Behavior Modification?
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Its strong emphasis on defining problems in terms of behavior that can be
measured in some way, and using changes in the behavioral measure of the
problem as the best indicator of the extent to which the problem is being helped.
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Its treatment procedures and techniques are ways of altering an individual’s
current environment.
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Its methods and rationales can be described precisely.
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Its techniques are often applied by individuals in everyday life.
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The techniques stem from basic and applied research in the science of learning in
general, and the principles of operant and Pavlovian conditioning in particular
(e.g., see Pear, 2001).
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It emphasizes scientific demonstration that a particular intervention was
responsible for a particular behavior change.
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It places high value on accountability for everyone involved in behavior
modification programs.
“Thus, behavior modification involves the systematic application of
learning principles and techniques to assess and improve individuals’
covert and overt behaviors in order to enhance their functioning.”
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Behavioral Assessment
• Involves the collection and analysis of
information and data in order to:
(a) identify and describe target behaviors
(b) identify possible causes of the behavior
(c) guide the selection of an appropriate behavioral
treatment
(d) evaluate treatment outcome
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Behavioral Modification
and Related Terms
• Behavior analysis refers to the scientific study of laws that govern
the behavior of human beings and other animals.
• Applied behavior analysis is behavior modification in which there
is typically an attempt to analyze or clearly demonstrate controlling
variables of the behavior of concern.
• Behavior therapy is typically behavior modification carried out on
dysfunctional behavior.
“Behavior modification encompasses both
behavior therapy and applied behavior analysis.”
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Some Misconceptions About
Behavior Modification
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Myth 1: Use of rewards by behavior modifiers to change behavior is
bribery.
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Myth 2: Behavior modification involves the use of drugs,
psychosurgery, and electroconvulsive therapy.
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Myth 3: Behavior modification only changes symptoms; it doesn’t get
at the underlying problems.
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Myth 4: Behavior modification can be applied to deal with simple
problems, such as toilet training children or overcoming fear of
heights, but it is not applicable for changing complex problems such as
low self-esteem or depression.
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Myth 5: Behavior modifiers are cold and unfeeling and don’t develop
empathy with their clients.
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Myth 6: Behavior modifiers deal only with observable behavior; they
don’t deal with thoughts and feelings of clients.
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Myth 7: Behavior modification is outdated.
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Looking Ahead
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