Behavior modification is the concept that a person's unwanted behavior can be altered. This technique is often used for children with certain mental disorders or developmental delays. Included are autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), bed-wetting and anxiety. These techniques can continue to be used into the teen years and adulthood as well. Using the different types of behavior modification alone or in conjunction with one another can help people cope and perform better in social settings. Behavior modification also has powerful effects for people who overeat or cannot control their eating habits.
Applied Behavior Analysis
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a specific technique used to treat behavior problems that present in autism, mental illness, disabilities and learning disorders. This can be used for children or adults with these issues. Both parents and teachers can have success when employing this method. It is used in schools, homes, institutions and hospitals alike and can help with social skills, school performance and life skills. It also can help reduce the behaviors associated with self-inflicted harm or harm to others. ABA sets out to teach and maintain desirable behaviors while eliminating undesirable ones. It is beneficial to both children and adults, and results are often positive.
Reinforcement
Reinforcement is a technique used to change behavior using rewards or the removal of negative stimuli. Positive reinforcement uses a reward system to promote positive behaviors. For example, sticker charts are widely used to help children learn to complete tasks. Adults can reward themselves. When a weight loss goal is achieved, many adults will buy themselves new and trendy clothes. Negative reinforcement removes something unpleasant when the good behavior is performed. For example, a child is let out of his room when he shows the behavior that is desired. Negative reinforcement in adults could be losing time off from work if productivity is not where it should be. Continuous reinforcement is used when trying to teach someone a new behavior that has never been exhibited. Immediate rewards are given when the behavior is displayed.
Punishment
While punishment should be used sparingly, it can produce powerful results. It mainly consists of the removal of pleasurable items or activities when a negative behavior is engaged in. For example, loss of video game privileges is an effective punishment for children. Time-out is a very effective punishment for young children because it is, in effect, removing the pleasure of the parent or caregiver's attention. Using punishment with reinforcement techniques can help a child learn to engage in appropriate behavior patterns. Punishment is not so common with use in the adult population. However, an example is losing a job due to unwanted behaviors, such as drinking while on the job or using work resources for personal use.
Eating
Many adults struggle with eating behaviors that lead to weight gain. Children can also have this problem, so the techniques can be used for both populations. Some behavior changes that can be made are to eat before shopping because then food doesn't seem as appealing, eating only at a designated spot, and keeping high-calorie foods out of the house or work environment. Making modifications to the way a person behaves around food can go a long way toward helping them keep their weight down.
Other
There are many other ways that have been tried to modify behavior. Modeling allows people to watch someone engaging in the proper behavior so they can see how it helps them reach a desirable outcome. For example, inmates can observe those who are being rewarded for good behavior so they know what they need to do to get the same privileges. Children can watch classmates get special privileges for desired behavior. Cueing consists of providing a cue to individuals when they should begin the good behavior. Discrimination uses cues, but the different cues determine which behavior is wanted at a specific time.
References
- Center for Autism and Related Disorders: What Is Applied Behavior Analysis?
- Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders: Behavior Modification
- Educational Psychology Interactive: Principles for Using Behavior Modification
- University of California, San Francisco Medical Center: Behavior Modification Ideas for Weight Management
