Attributes of Behavior Modification

• Behavior can be precisely defined and measured.

• Behavioral principles form the basis for developing effective interventions.

• Behavior modification is based on the results of research.

• Interventions are derived from principles o behavior.

Defining Behavior

• Behavior is what individuals do—their observable behavior.

• Behavior can be verbal or nonverbal.• Considering covert behavior.• Things that are not behavior

Subjective Description Objective Description

Inappropriate Behaviors

Is lazy Doesn’t finish all 10 math problems

Uses bad language Says “shut up” when asked to books away

Is immature Cries when doesn’t get to be first in line

Is manipulative Asks Ms. Jones to listen to music after Mr. Smith says “no”

Acts oppositional Has to be told three times to stop talking to classmate

Appropriate Behaviors

Is polite Says “thank you” after receiving a compliment

Acts friendly Smiles when talking to others

Has good work habits Sits up straight, keep s eyes on teacher, raises hand before talking

Gets along well with others Asks children to play games at recess

Exercises self-control Finishes work without being asked

Three-Term Contingency

A B CAntecedents Behavior Consequences

peopleevents

appropriateinappropriate

reinforcementpunishment

Antecedents Behavior Consequences

1. Teacher asks question

Nancy raisesher hand

Teacher callson Nancy

2. Billy calls Jimmy a jerk

Jimmy hitsBilly

Billy stopscalling Jimmya jerk

3. Math period

Freddy gets astomach ache

Freddy sentto nurse

Ideas for Antecedent Manipulation

1. The student who always fights in the lunch line. 2. The student who enters the room with a look you know means he’s angry and going to blow. 4. The student who is too self-conscious to read orally and acts up when it’s her turn. 5. The student who whispers and talks excessively. 6. The student who becomes frustrated when given a page of math problems or spelling words. 7. The student who cries when you return bad papers. 8. The student who daydreams or stares out the window when she is to be working. 9. The student who tips in his chair often knocking it over for attention.10. The student who dawdles and disliked leaving the room for recess.

Discipline

Training that is expected to produce a specific character or Pattern of behavior, especially training that produces moral or mental improvement.

Punishment

Any stimulus that is presented or taken away after a behavior occurs that decreases the future probability of the behavior occurring.

Reinforcement

Any stimulus that is presented after a behavior occurs that Increases The future probability of the behavior occurring.

Reward

Something given to a person for some accomplishment.

Applied Behavior Analysis

• ABA is concerned with a person’s behavior and how environmental factors affect its expression.

• ABA uses principles of behavior that have identified relations between behavior and the environment.

• ABA is analytic when a functional relation between the intervention and the target behavior can be demonstrated.

• ABA is applied in that it is characterized by the social importance of the behavior to be changed.

A systematic, performance-based, self-evaluative method of changing behavior