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Behavior Modification

Spring 2009 – Ryan Sain

Introduction

What is behavior? Doing

Products (outcomes) vs. Behaviors Losing weight Getting an A

Self statements – self talk – private behaviors – covert behaviors

The Dead Person’s Test

Characteristics of Behavior

Duration

Frequency

Intensity (force)

General terms Intelligence, attitudes We are very specific and need to define in terms of

the behavior.

Behavior Mod Defined

Define problems in terms of behavior that can be measured in some way. Using changes in terms of this behavior is the measure of success or

failure

Treatments are about changing the individuals physical environment The stimuli present (and behavior can be a stimulus) Not like talking therapies at all

Methods and rationale can be describe clearly and precisely. Very scientific

Applied by individuals in everyday life

Based on existing research from the learning literature

Applications

Parenting and child management http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7C4VHBLXcrw

Other critters http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjfGvL8Be-c

Education http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xEH_qUMLd0 Not just for young ones – mastery work at the university level.

Developmental disabilities – teaching life skills

Autism – a huge area of applied behavior analysis, focus on all aspects of autism

Schizophrenia – life skills training (social, communication, job finding, etc.)

More applications

Self management Skills to modify your own behavior

Medical and health care Behavioral medicine

Interactions between health, illness and behavior Treating problems through biofeedback (patients gain

control over their body) Treatment compliance Healthy living Caregiver behavior – they affect the patient too. Stress management – techniques like PMR

Still more…

Aging Have to change the way you do things as you get older Behavior mod can help you learn those new routines Nursing home behavior

Community behaviors Recycling, littering, community problems (ridership,

etc)

Business and govt. Process improvement

Sport psychology Skills, practice, coaching