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Behavior modification chapter 5
Operant conditioning theory of learning by b f skinner
B.f. Skinner operant conditioning theory
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Recommended: Behavior modification chapter 5
Behavior modification refers to procedures or theories which were used by psychologists such as B.F. Skinner to develop behavior change. B.F Skinner’s operant conditioning theory indicates that behavior can be controlled by consequences and reinforcements. Behaviour modification starts from a very young age in order to reinforce boundaries and rules into a child's mind. These barriers exist because of the lack of intellect in such a young age. Behaviour modification uses techniques to try and decrease or increase a particular behaviour or reaction towards an action or idea. Our brains are modified through our learning ages starting from the age of 3, which helps us differentiate right from wrong. However, behaviour modification does not end there, it continues into our mature life as we are always bound to learn something new at any given time. Therapists use these techniques to influence our living styles and push us towards a healthy life. Pet owners also use these techniques to teach the animals the difference between the pet and the owner. Even …show more content…
It consists of two types; classical conditioning and operant conditioning. Classical conditioning relies on a particular stimulus or signal, i.e. a family member walking into the kitchen because of the smell enticing them closer. Operant conditioning refers to the system of rewards and/or punishments in order to bring change in ones attitude. Dog trainers usually follow this type of conditioning when they treat the dog after he/she obeys an order.
Behaviour modification developed these theories because it is believed that just as something can be learned, it can be unlearned. Thus, many techniques were formed to assist in eliciting or stopping harmful behaviour.
Techniques used in changing behaviours are; positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, punishment, flooding, systematic desensitization, aversion therapy and
F. Skinner’s behaviour theory states Children learn from their experience. For e.g. if a child gets told-off for tearing pages from a book, he/she does not repeat the same act. In school teachers appreciate good behaviour by praise, smileys or stickers which encourages them to continue behaving well. Teachers give timeout or detentions in case child displays wrong behaviour. For e.g. pushing peers, hitting/kicking other children or throwing classroom equipment at peers, speaking rudely, disrupting the session, etc. Both positive and negative rewards become part of child’s experience and they learn about acceptable social behaviour and develop their own
It was effective because it started by stating the behavioral issue and why it needs to be modified. Then this program formed various reasons as to why individuals portray certain behaviors. Next, the target behavior and the assessment of behavior was examined, measured and observed. During this time, a frequency tracking of the behavior was done and results were recorded. After obtaining the results, realistic goals were set with positive and negative reinforcement. Altogether, these steps resulted in a change in behavior which was evident by our test sample, Sarah. The behavioral modification needs to be exposed to the world on a broader scale to create more effective behavioral changes with guidance because there are many individuals who would like to change their behaviors but do not know the first step to take in doing
-Behavioral modification techniques: positive reinforcements (verbal praises and chalkboard and a marker to scribble), therapeutic use of self ( active friendliness), and prompting and fading in order to improve compliance, impulse control, frustration tolerance and work behaviors.
Many psychologists performed many experiments that involved shaping and changing behavior. There is one influential thinker that made a remarkable discovery that one can change another’s behavior by providing or establishing a reward based systems based upon their behavior. B.F. Skinner uncovered the idea that one change or shape another’s behavior by establishing a system based upon rewards that can change another’s behavior.
F. Skinner, and Albert Bandura, focuses on changing the behavior of clients. This type of therapy “aims to decrease the frequency of maladaptive behaviors, and increase the frequency of adaptive or helpful behaviors” (Corsini & Wedding, 2014, p 194). Behavior therapy does this by using trait theories of personality and assuming that “each individual has unique, enduring patterns of behavior that can be observed across a wide range of situations and that these patterns can be understood in terms of specific personality characteristics – traits – that vary in intensity from low to high” (Corsini & Weddin, 2014, p 199). Behavior therapy also uses concepts such as classical conditioning and operant conditioning. Classical conditioning “is a form of learning in which one stimulus, a conditioned stimulus, comes to signal the occurrence of a second stimulus, an unconditioned stimulus…[an unconditioned stimulus] is typically a stimulus that naturally causes a characteristic response, known as an unconditioned response” and operant conditioning “is a form of learning in which the frequency, form, or strength of a behavior is influenced by its consequences” (Corsini & Wedding, 2014, p 200-201). Concepts like these, including reinforcement and punishment, can be wide spread and used in various types of situations which is why this therapy is a good one to use with other
The two main forms of conditioning, are classical conditioning (learning by association), and operant condition (learning from consequences).Classical conditioning, is the learning process in which one is conditioned (learns) to respond to a neutral stimulus as if it were a meaningful stimulus. In operant conditioning, learning occurs through associations made between a behavior and the consequence that follows.
Today, behavior modification is used to treat a variety of problems in both adults and children. Behavior modification has been successfully used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, phobias, bedwetting, anxiety disorder, and separation anxiety disorder. Behavior modification is not used to treat disorders and problems, it is also used to increase a desired behavior. An example of a behavior many try to increase is their athletic abilities including speed, strength, and endurance (Fedor, 1990).
Martin, G., & Pear, J. (1999). Behavior Modification: What it is and How to do it. Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey.
An instance in which behavioral intervention could have been used was with Jacob Solomon. He was first diagnosed with ADHD then at the age of nine with a mood disorder and by the age of ten given eight different medications. At three years old, his teachers told his parents he had no impulse control. With behavioral intervention psychologists could look for the underlying issues in the child's social context. They would then be able to treat the underlying social context problem with psychotherapy or family counseling.
Behavior Modification and it Application to a Variety of Behaviors Within in an Educational Setting
Applying behaviorist theories in the classroom is called direct instruction (Campana, 2011). As Campana’s (2011) video explains, these forms of direct instruction include breaking down tasks into smaller and easier steps, modeling by the instructor, repetition and review, and structured/systematic planning. There are many proven advantages to using behaviorist techniques in the classroom. As in Skinner’s theory of learning, the implementation of reinforcements can improve behavior, increase motivation, and raise self-esteem in students.
Mather and Goldstein (2015) stated that behaviors can retained or changed with appropriate outcome. Teachers can use the procedure defined by them to accomplish students’ behvaiour using the following outcomes. The very first step is to describe the problem. The second step is to adjust the behavior by emerging a behavior management strategy. The third step is to recognize an effective reinforce and the latest step is to use the reinforce on a regualr basis in order to change the
Punishment is a process through which “the consequence of a response decreases the likelihood that the response will recur” (Gray, 2002, pp.115). Further, punishment can be seen as an effort to decrease the response rate to stimuli by either removing a desired stimulus or presenting one which is undesired (Gray, 2002). Recent studies suggest that punishment can be an effective method of behaviour modification. However, as reported in Lerman and Vorndran (2002), there are a number of limitations to punishment as an intervention and subsequent negative side effects. For this reason, certain principles upon which the implementation of a successful punishment is dependent must be adhered to. In accordance to these findings, this essay will contend that whilst there are alternative means to operant conditioning, certain punishment techniques have been proven to be effectual and in some aspects advantageous.
Behaviorism used learning concentrates entirely on observing, measuring, and modifying behavior. Since Watson, Pavlov, and Skinner began this theory teacher can better discipline their students. Using operant conditioning teachers can use positive reinforcement to get all the students to behave during class. There are few drawbacks to this theory, but there are drawbacks to everything in life.
In contrast to classical conditioning, operant conditioning, discovered by B.F Skinner, is a learning process that involves either an increase or decrease in some behavior as a result of consequences (Amabile, 1985). Operant conditioning attempts to elicit new behavior through use of reinforcers and punishments.