Behavior Modification
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Behavior Modification is defined as the use of rewards or punishments to reduce or eliminate problematic behavior, or to teach an individual new responses to environmental stimuli. Three tools used in Behavior Modification are positive and negative reinforcement and cueing.
The goal of a program of behavior modification is to change and adjust behavior that is inappropriate or undesirable in some way. When embarking on a program of behavior modification it is important is that the undesirable behaviors be isolated and observed. With this observation comes awareness of the behaviors, on the part of both the parent and teacher and also on the part of the individual whose behavior is being modified. With this awareness, comes a greater goal of understanding the cause and effect of the behaviors, and thus affect change.
In many cases, some form of behavior modification along with cognitive therapy and medication therapy are the preferred methods of treatment for disorders such as AD(H)D, and Conduct Disorders. Behavior modification and cognitive therapy are the principle forms of treatment for disorders such as Eating Disorders and Substance Abuse.
Simply put, behavior modification therapy is based on the idea of antecedents (events that occur before a behavior is apparent), and consequences (the events that occur after the behavior occurs). The appropriate behavior is learned by observing and changing both the antecedents and the consequences of the behavior so that the appropriate behavior increases and the inappropriate behavior decreases.
The use of rewards to help affect change is called positive reinforcement and the use of punishment, for example, withdrawal of privileges is called negative reinforcement. A behavioral modification program to change behavior consists of a series of stages. First, an inappropriate behavior is identified and stopped, and then a new behavior must be developed, strengthened, and maintained.
To stop an inappropriate behavior, first the behavior must be observed. It is helpful to chart the behavior: what events precede the behavior, what time of day it is observed, etc., to understand the pattern of the behavior. It's important at first to focus on just one or two offending behavior patterns. Once a behavior pattern is recognized and its pattern charted and understood, a system of rewards can then be constructed.
An example of positive reinforcement used in stopping inappropriate behavior is offering a choice for an alternative action and once done, a reward is presented. Depending on the circumstances of the behavior, conditions can be arranged so that the child receives no rewards following the inappropriate behavior. This is an example of negative reinforcement.
In order to teach and develop new behaviors, successive steps can be rewarded until the final, appropriate behavior is achieved. Another method for success is to teach cueing: arrange for the child to receive a cue for correct behavior prior to the expected action, reward the child for recognizing the cue (and before the child has a chance to perform the inappropriate behavior).
In order to strengthen a new behavior on their own, slowly require a longer time period or more correct responses before the new, corrected behavior is rewarded.
A good use of positive reinforcement is 'catching the child being good.' Reinforce the desired behavior when it occurs. For example, if a child does his or her homework without being asked, he or she is rewarded with extra television time after the completion of the homework. Of course, the reinforcement must be made immediately after the desired behavior, and that is true throughout the use of both positive and negative reinforcement.
The key to a successful program of behavior modification is consistency. And a key piece of behavior modification that parents and teachers can perform is to present their own behavior and reactions in a positive way, so that children can learn and model successful behavior.
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