Overview of Behavior Modification
Behavior modification is a type of therapy often used to decrease or remove harmful behaviors in both children and adults. Unlike some other therapies that aim to change the way you think, which can then change your behavior, behavior modification focuses directly on altering specific actions. This way, the progress and success of this therapy can be easily tracked and measured.
The basis of behavior modification comes from the work of B.F. Skinner. He found that behavior could be adjusted through positive or negative reactions – or in other words, rewards and punishments. A reward, also known as a reinforcer, is something that makes a behavior more likely to happen, while a punishment is something that decreases the chance of a behavior happening again.
Skinners’ approach used the terms positive and negative in the sense of mathematics. Positive means something is being added, and negative means something is taken away. Therefore, positive reinforcement is when a person receives a reward for a behavior which encourages its repeat. As an example, if a child gets candy for cleaning their room (the behavior), the child is likely to clean their room more often because they want the candy (reward).
In contrast, negative reinforcement is when something undesirable is removed as a result of a behavior, which also encourages the behavior. An example of this is when someone no longer has to pay a fine or go to jail. By avoiding these negative consequences, the person is likely to continue the behavior that led to their avoidance of the fine or jail time.
On the other hand, positive punishment occurs when an undesirable event happens as a result of behavior, meant to discourage the behavior. For instance, a child might receive a time-out for not sharing which then discourages them from refusing to share in the future. In contrast, negative punishment is the removal of something desirable to decrease a behavior. A simple example is a parent taking away a child’s cell phone for not finishing homework on time, making the child more likely to finish their homework on time in the future.
These different types of rewards and punishments can work alone or together as a behavior plan. It is worth noting that positive reinforcement (rewarding good behavior) usually works better and faster than punishment (discouraging bad behavior). In spite of this, many parents only punish bad behavior without reinforcing good behavior. Behavior modification helps shift this focus so that good behavior is also rewarded.
There are different ways you can go about reinforcing behavior. At first, you may decide to reward the behavior every time it happens to establish the habit (continuous reinforcement). Once the habit is formed, you might switch to an intermittent reinforcement, where you only reward the behavior some of the time (what they referred to as thinning). Four types of reinforcement methods are fixed interval, variable interval, fixed ratio, and variable ratio.
Here are some examples to illustrate each type:
- Fixed interval: Rewarding someone at the end of every day.
- Variable interval: Rewarding someone randomly, like at the end of a day, a week, or every few days.
- Fixed ratio: Rewarding someone after they do something a set number of times, like rewarding kids after they clean their room four times.
- Variable ratio: Rewarding someone after they do something a random number of times, like rewarding kids after they clean their room three times, then six times, then two times. A real-life example of this is how gambling works.
Overall, behavior modification is a method that can help adults or children eliminate or reduce harmful behaviors through the strategic use of rewards and punishments.
Why do People Need Behavior Modification
A behavior modification plan can be developed to tackle any undesired or inappropriate behavior. It is also used to encourage and reinforce new, positive behaviors. In a clinical setting, the healthcare team uses the concept of operant conditioning to encourage positive behaviors through rewarding outcomes. This may include a token reward system, shaping behavior through gradual changes, differential reinforcement of positive behaviors, and eliminating undesired behaviors through negative consequences such as timeouts.
In child psychiatry, a behavior modification plan is often an important part of the treatment when a child is diagnosed with disorders such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, among others. Essentially, these are disorders that primarily involve external behavior-related issues. While behavior therapy can be used for a variety of conditions, it is particularly important in such cases.
Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) is a common therapy technique used for behavior modification. It has been proven to be highly effective for those diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders and other similar developmental disorders.
Behavior modification is also a key part of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT). PCIT helps parents develop certain skills to improve both physical and verbal interaction with their children. It is a proven approach for preventing child abuse and neglect, and is particularly useful for children showing disruptive behavior or those who have experienced trauma. This includes those on the autism spectrum and it has been shown to decrease a child’s risk of antisocial and criminal behavior down the line.
The Triple P – Positive Parenting Program uses techniques from social learning, cognitive therapy, behavior modification, and development theory. It also considers risk factors associated with the development of social and behavior problems in children. This program’s main goal is to give parents the skills and confidence they need to handle family issues on their own, without ongoing help.
Multiple reviews and in-depth analyses of various studies have found that behavioral treatments are among the most effective treatments for Alcohol Use Disorders (AUDs). This includes short-term interventions, marital and family therapy, behavioral couples therapy, relapse prevention methods, cognitive-behavioral treatments, reinforcement approaches in the community, and contingency management methods.
When a Person Should Avoid Behavior Modification
A behavior plan should only be put into action when it’s possible to follow it consistently and for a long time. Quite often, the individuals will need a period of shaping, meaning that they are positively reinforced and rewarded gradually as they start displaying the desired behavior. A perfect execution of the planned behavior right away is not expected.
In fact, when there’s a push for a change in behavior, it’s normal to have some hiccups and slip-ups. That’s why the individual as well as their caregivers and health professional must practice patience and maintain steadiness throughout the process. If a behavior plan is implemented half-heartedly, it may lead to worsening behavior instead of improvement.
Equipment used for Behavior Modification
A behavior modification chart is a tool often used to help improve a person’s behavior. The chart notes measurable tasks that, when completed, earn a reward. These rewards can come in many forms, such as points, stickers, or marks on the chart. Here’s an example pattern:
* Getting 3 points per day can lead to 30 minutes of screen time.
* Earning 6 points per day gives 1 hour of screen time.
* Collecting 20 points in a week lets the person pick a toy worth $5 to $10 at the store.
* Securing 25 points in a week means the person can have the toy and also stay up two hours later on Saturday night.
These reward guidelines might be a good fit for children between five to ten years old.
In this system, often referred to as a ‘token economy’, the points, stickers, or marks (any ‘token’) that a person earns for good behavior become a sort of currency. The person can ‘spend’ their tokens to get cool rewards.
The rewards or ‘reinforcers’ form an important part of this plan and should be something the child enjoys or wants. For example, a child who loves sweets might be motivated to make their bed every day if they get a lollipop each time they do it. But the same child might not feel as inspired to make their bed if the reward was simply more time to read. The idea is to choose a reward that the child values, which means they’ll want to earn it.
For the plan to work best, the reinforcement should happen right when the good behavior occurs. If the reward is given immediately, it helps the child make a stronger connection between their actions and the positive outcome. For instance, it’s more beneficial to praise a toddler for using the potty while they are using it, rather than afterwards. The reward should be suitable to the behavior, like giving a toddler a sticker each time they say please, or giving a teenager extra screen time for maintaining a positive attitude. And importantly, all caretakers involved should consistently honor the reward system as agreed upon, and shouldn’t skip the agreed-upon outcome out of guilt or inconvenience.
Who is needed to perform Behavior Modification?
Anyone can start a plan to help change a person’s behavior. It could be a single person or a team, like a parent, teacher, or someone who takes care of children. This plan could be used in different places, such as at school and at home. For example, a child could be rewarded for handing in their homework to the teacher at school, and also for cleaning their room at home. The more places we apply this plan, the better it works.
Preparing for Behavior Modification
To help address an issue, there needs to be a clear understanding of what the problem behavior is. Once this is identified, the next step is deciding on the preferred behavior that we’d like to see instead. With these defined, appropriate rewards should be established to encourage this desired behavior.
If considering the use of punishment, it’s important to make sure that specific punishments are tied to the particular behavior that’s not desirable. This means having clear guidelines about which punishments go with which behaviors, so all parties involved understand the consequences of their actions.
How is Behavior Modification performed
The key to making behavior change plans work is being consistent.
Possible Complications of Behavior Modification
It’s completely normal if both the child and the parent or teacher are hesitant at first. Children might not want to try something new because they’re weary of being scolded or having their favorite things taken away due to their challenging behavior. They might also feel low about themselves or doubt their ability to follow the new behavior plan.
This is where the technique of shaping comes in. Shaping means rewarding children even when they’re just getting closer to displaying the behavior we want to see. This encourages them to keep trying, with the aim that they’ll fully achieve the goal one day.
Parents or other authority figures might also have some resistance. They could be upset or tired because of the child’s behavior and may not want to give rewards for positive behavior. They might even be worried that the new plan won’t work. Introducing this new approach can be tough and demands consistent effort, which might seem daunting.
What Else Should I Know About Behavior Modification?
Behavior therapy can help individuals achieve results that might not be possible with medication alone. Once the therapy plan ends, the positive effects continue because the new behavior has already become a habit. Behavior changes can truly affect how a person thinks and feels about themselves, which is one of the main objectives in mental health treatments.
