Behavior modification is therapy that applies principles of learning to substitute desirable habits for undesirable ones. There are many areas where this type of therapy comes in handy, though not every person responds well to the same treatment. Some therapists specialize in treatments. Find a therapy that best fits your problem and plan.
Token Economy
A behavior-modification strategy that focuses on positive reinforcement to deter maladaptive behaviors is known as the token economy system. This system works well in a variety of environments, such as psychiatric institutions, traditional and nontraditional classrooms, prisons and military settings. The basic idea is to provide immediate positive reinforcement in the form of tokens or points, which participants can trade in later for subsequent privileges. This rewards good behavior while deterring bad behavior.
Self-control Model
Learning self-control is sometimes a difficult task because, even though the action can have a bad outcome, it provides instant gratification. A good example is overeating. Even though you get the satisfaction from the food the second of consumption, it can cause harm later. Behavior-modification strategies for self-control differ from other models, because the individual with the negative behavior usually is controlling the program, making a relapse more likely. Successful implementation of the self-control model requires a specific definition of the problem followed by the application of behavioral techniques to overcome the issue.
Systematic Self-Densensitization
Systematic self-desensitization is a model of behavior modification best used to get over the intense phobias associated with certain stimuli. It is based on the idea that, if an individual can learn to be anxious, he also can learn not to be anxious. First, the patient learns to imagine the feared situation in a therapeutic situation without having feelings of anxiety. Once this is accomplished, the real-life situation is experienced without anxiousness.
Cognitive Behavioral Management
Therapy that mixes cognitive and behavioral learning principles is known as cognitive behavioral modification. Cognitive therapy is designed around the idea that faulty thinking is to blame for mental abnormalities; therefore, changing the way a person thinks theoretically helps the mental issue. A study of the effectiveness of this theory conducted at Southern Methodist University found that mixing cognitive and behavior ideologies is an effective way to improve anger management issues.
References
- Merriam-Webster: Behavior Modification
- "Behavior Modification"; Garry Martin, et al.; 2002
- University of Minnesota: Addressing the Needs of Young Children
- California State University; Desensitization; Tom G. Stevens; 2010
- "Cognitive Therapy and Research"; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in the Treatment of Anger; Richard Beck, et al; 1998
