A program to lose weight or a contract to complete daily homework are examples of behavior modification. Behavior modification applies to individuals, classrooms, families and work settings. After identification of the problem, a plan is created to encourage the new, positive behavior and discourage the old, negative behavior. Linda M. Bambara, author of "Individualized Supports for Students with Problem Behaviors: Designing Positive Behavior Plans," explains that behavior modification educates students about alternative skills and changes the environmental factors contributing to the negative behaviors.
Identification
Identifying the problem may be easy when an adult decides to stop smoking, or difficult when a fourth-grader regularly disrupts the class with aggressive behaviors. In school situations, a behavioral assessment, conducted by the teacher or a behavioral specialist, determines the exact behavior, along with the frequency of the behavior and the antecedents to the behavior.
Education
Behavior modification requires an educational component to begin the desired changes. For example, a teacher might instruct a child in positive ways to express frustration over test taking, instead of throwing books on the ground. Education might also occur through discussion, reading assignments or role playing.
Environmental Changes
Negative behaviors often occur in relation to specific situations. An overeater might always eat in front of the TV. A smoker might always smoke when drinking coffee. A child with aggressive tendencies might act up on test days or when seated in the back of the class. Environmental changes reduce the opportunities for the negative behaviors to occur. For example, the aggressive child gets extra time to take tests or sits in the front of the room.
Encouragement
When the new, appropriate behavior occurs, the individual receives positive reinforcement. An individual who loses 10 pounds might reward herself with a new sweater. The teacher might congratulate a child for remaining calm during test time, or allow the child to lead the line down the hall to the cafeteria. In the LDOnline article, "Behavior Modification in the Classroom," authors N. Mather and Sam Goldstein list five reinforcement ideas suggested by elementary school children: free time, games in class, additional recess, field trips and material reinforcers--things like pencils or small toys.
Discouragement
Negative reinforcement provides uncomfortable consequences for continuing the negative behavior. Extra chores might be the consequence for a teenager acting disrespectfully at home. A student who turns in assignments late or does not complete homework might have to complete the work during lunchtime or after school.
References
- "Behavior Management: Principles and Practices of Positive Behavior Supports": John J. Wheeler and David Dean Richey; 2009
- "Individualized Supports for Students with Problem Behaviors: Designing Positive Behavior Plans"; Linda M. Bambara, Ph.D.; 2005
- Utah State University: Behavioral Contract
- Educational Psychology Interactive: Principles for Using Behavior Modification
- LDOnline.org: Behavior Modification in the Classroom
