Behavior modification techniques are used to increase the occurrence of wanted behaviors and reduce the likelihood that unwanted behaviors will continue to appear. According to the College of Education at the University of Minnesota, behavior modification techniques manipulate the events or acts that precede a behavior and induce specific consequences after a behavior so that the future occurrence of that particular behavior is changed.
Basics
When a person engages in behavior modification she should first pick a behavior she wants to change. Then, she determines the reinforcement that she will use to change the behavior. Next, the reinforcement should be provided directly after the behavior has occurred. An example of this would be to provide a treat to a dog every time the dog urinates outside of the house. Since the dog is receiving a treat for urinating outside it is likely that the dog will urinate outside of the house more often in an effort to get a treat.
Facts
B.F. Skinner, a famous behavioral psychologist, developed the concept of operant conditioning, which has resulted in the technique of behavior modification. Skinner's work was based on the idea that behaviors increase or decrease based on the consequences that follow the behavior.
Considerations
The uses for behavior modification are numerous. Behavior modification techniques can be used with children who display behavior problems and with children who regularly engage in positive behaviors. Techniques of behavior modification can be used for a whole classroom and in a workplace. Behaviors in animals and pets can be changed and adapted through the use of behavior modification interventions. A person can engage in behavior modification techniques through both apparent and subtle methods.
Tips
The success of behavior modification depends on how it is carried out. Behavior modification techniques must be applied with consistency for them to result in success. Also, the rewards or positive reinforcement tools must make the person or animal want to engage in the behavior again. A child who does not like to go to movies should not be rewarded with a movie night out for cleaning her room.
There must be follow-through for behavior modification techniques to be effective. The more quickly a reward or punishment follows a desired or unwanted behavior the more effective it will be in increasing or decreasing the behavior in the future.
Significance
Behavior modification techniques are commonly used in the treatment of mental health disorders. Anxiety disorders such as phobias and obsessive-compulsive disorder are often treated with different behavior modification techniques. Also, treatment programs for addiction problems, such as sexual addictions, gambling addictions or substance addictions, incorporate behavior modification techniques into the treatment program.
According to HelpGuide.org, one of the main early intervention programs used with children who have autism, applied behavioral analysis, is based solely on behavior modification techniques to teach children with autism positive behaviors and reduce or eliminate their troubling behaviors.
