Behavior Modification

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Behavior Modification

• By Gary Brown and
• Amie Cullifer

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Behavior modification is used in psychology.

• A psychologist first determines the
  reinforcers that sustain an unwanted behavior and
  then tries to alter that behavior by reducing the
  reinforcers for the unwanted behavior and
  providing suitable reinforcers for more
  acceptable behaviors (Kalat, 217).

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Applied to teaching by B. F. Skinner

• The Technology of Teaching (1968)
• Skinner stated, Education is a process where we
  arrange the educational environment to expedite
  learning.
• And
• Positive reinforcement, not punishment, is the
  most effective consequences to human response.

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Behavior Modification Approach to Classroom
Management

• Gives the teacher much control
• Consequences approach
• Useful in an environment where students need firm
  limits
• ISS
• DOP
• CACL

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Some ways to implement behavior modification

• Extinction
• Ignore
• Reinforcement
• Snacks
• Toys
• Playtime
• Response-cost
• Token system
• Time-out
• Time-out chair
• Corner
• Small room
• Punishment
• A last resort

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Strengths

• Easy
• Quick results
• Any grade
• Expectations clear and consistent among students
• Works with most students
• Most effective preventing misbehavior

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Weaknesses

• Manipulative
• Intervention
• Corrective discipline
• High maintenance
• Continue need for reinforcers
• Bribery
• Factors outside teachers control
• Students do not learn self-discipline

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• One mentally retarded man had a habit of
  inappropriate speech, including lewd sexual
  comments. Psychologist found that telling him
  not to say such things actually increased their
  frequency getting peoples attention was
  reinforcing. So they switched to ignoring his
  inappropriate comments and responding attentively
  to all acceptable comments. The result was
  increased appropriate and decreased inappropriate
  comments (Quoted by Kalat, 217).

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Questions

• Can this situation really apply to the classroom?
  
• Is this a reasonable course of action to take
  with a student?

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References

• Scarpaci, Richard T. A Case Study Approach to
  Classroom Management. 2007.
• Kalat, James W. Introduction to Psychology. 7th
  ed. Belmont, CA Wadsworth, 2005.