B.F. Skinner, an American psychologist, developed the theory of operant conditioning, which formed the foundation for behavior modification. Through the use of reinforcement, behavior modification techniques can develop a new behavior, maintain or strengthen an existing behavior, stop an inappropriate behavior or modify an emotional behavior.
History
According to Dr. C. George Boeree of Shippensburg University, behavior modification is based on the theory of operant conditioning, which proposes that an organism responds to environmental stimulus, and that the consequence of that response will determine if the behavior will be repeated in the future. Skinner, the psychologist most notably associated with operant conditioning, demonstrated this theory through the use of a "Skinner Box," which automatically provided food pellets and electrical shocks to rats. Through the use of reinforcement and punishment, Skinner was able either to increase or decrease the likelihood that the rats would push a lever. These experiments showed that consequences influence whether behaviors will be repeated in the future and laid the groundwork for behavior modification.
Features
The defining characteristic of operant conditioning is the belief that reinforcement or punishment of behavior impacts the future occurrence of the behavior. Behavior modification uses the concepts of reinforcement and punishment to reduce undesirable behaviors and increase desirable behaviors. However, punishment is not as effective as reinforcement and, as such, reinforcement is most heavily stressed in behavior modification.
Types of Reinforcement
Dr. Deborah Harris O'Brien of Trinity College describes the types of reinforcement, explaining that reinforcement increases the likelihood that a behavior will recur and can be either positive or negative. Positive reinforcement provides a pleasant stimulus immediately after the desired behavior occurs. In Skinner's experiments, for example, the rat received positive reinforcement for pressing the lever by immediately receiving food pellets, thus increasing the likelihood that the rat would again press the lever.
Negative reinforcement removes an unpleasant stimulus immediately after the desired behavior occurs. For example, in Skinner's experiments, the floor of the Skinner box would give brief electrical shocks to the rat. When the rat pressed the lever, the shocks would cease, thus increasing the likelihood that the rat would press the lever again.
Types of Punishment
O'Brien further explains that punishment reduces the likelihood that a behavior will recur and, like reinforcement, can be either positive or negative. Positive punishment reduces the likelihood that behavior will reoccur by providing an aversive stimulus immediately following the behavior. For example, if a rat were to press a lever and receive an electrical shock--the aversive stimulus--the likelihood that the rat would press the lever again decreases.
Negative punishment reduces the likelihood that a behavior will recur by removing a positive stimulus. For example, a rat that consistently receives food when it presses a lever, no longer receives food when it presses the lever. The positive stimulus--food--has been removed and the likelihood that the rat will press the lever in the future decreases.
Function
Behavior modification has successful applications in the treatment of many mental disorders, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder according to Drs. Sheila Eyberg, Elena Schuhmann and Rebecca Foote in their 1998 article "Behavior Modification In the Treatment of ADHD." Additionally, behavior modification used with children either in the home or school environment has shown to be successful in managing behaviors. A popular form of behavior modification called a token economy provides tokens for desired behaviors. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign describes a token economy, explaining that children collect tokens and, later, for a predetermined amount, exchange them for a reward. This method, often used with children at home or at school, effectively uses behavior modification techniques by providing positive reinforcement to increase desired behaviors.
References
- Educational Psychology Interactive: Using the Behavioral Approach
- Shippensburg University: B.F. Skinner
- Prince George's Community College: Learning and Memory Module: Operant Conditioning
- Parent-Child Interaction Therapy: Behavior Modification In the Treatment of ADHD
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign: Token Economy
