Behavior Modification and it Application to a Variety of Behaviors Within in an Educational Setting

1125 Words3 Pages

Behavior Modification and it Application to a Variety of Behaviors Within in an Educational Setting

Abstract

Behavior modification is based on the concepts of observable

antecedents, observable behavior, and consequences. A behavior

modification program consists of a series of stages to achieve a

desired modification of a target behavior. A token economy based

behavior modification program that was applied for a full academic

year in an entire elementary school, spanning from kindergarten

through sixth grade was used as an example to show the application of

behavior modification. Behavior modification has shown to be

effective and efficient in dealing with behavioral problems among

students within an educational setting and has become a valuable asset

to teachers and parents.

Behavior Modification and its Application to a Variety of Behaviors

within an Educational Setting

Behavior modification has long been used to help solve human

behavioral problems within a wide range of settings such as prisons,

homes, mental hospitals, rehabilitation centers, educational

institutions, communities and businesses. According to Weiten (2004),

behavior modification is a systematic approach to changing behavior

through the application of the principles of conditioning. Advocates

of behavior modification assume that behavior is a product of

learning, conditioning, and environmental control. Therefore, they

believe that people can be “reconditioned” to produce more desirable

patterns of behavior. This essay will describe the theory of behavior

modification, the stages of behavior modification methods and examples

of cases where behavi...

... middle of paper ...

...ong

students within an educational setting and has become a valuable asset

to teachers and parents.

References

Milukas, W. (1976). Behavior Modification. New York: Harper & Row.

(Chapter 1 &7)

Sarafino Edward P. (1996) Principles of Behavior Change: Understanding

behavior

modification techniques. New York: John Wiley & Sons, pp. 393-418.

Weiten, W. (2004). Psychology: Themes and Variations (5th ed.).

Pacific Grove, CA:

Brooks/Cole. Chapter 6, pp. 241-259

Bibliography

Kalish, H.I. (1981). From behavioral science to behavior modification.

New York:

McGrawhill. (Chapter 1).

Ross, P.A., & Braden, J.P. (1991). The effects of token reinforcement

versus cognitive

behavior modification on learning-disabled students’ math skills.

Psychology in

the Schools, 28, 247-256.

More about Behavior Modification and it Application to a Variety of Behaviors Within in an Educational Setting

Open Document