Behavior Modification

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Please see response attached, which is presented below. I hope this helps and take care.

RESPONSE:

1. Early behavioral psychologists demonstrated it is easier to modify behavior when the expected behavior is rewarded. For example, you compliment your child for doing well in school, or you get coupons for your next purchase because you spent so much at the grocery store. In 3-4 paragraphs explain the benefits of using this type of behavior modification correctly. Also explain some negative affects that can occur if the wrong behaviors are rewarded.

Behavior Modification is used to describe a program that relies on rewarding positive behavior in order to increase the frequency of such behavior. To set up a program for your child takes careful planning, commitment, patience and working together with all caretakers (Bailey, n.d), as sometimes a negative behavior can be rewards inadvertently.
Thus, the main benefits of modifying behavior correctly are:

1. Expected (positive) behavior that is rewarded increases in frequency (e.g., reading, doing homework on time, etc.)
2. Negative behavior that is not rewarded decreases or becomes extinct.

However, incorrectly applied, behavior modification can reward negative behaviors instead. Conversely, the negative behaviors that are rewarded increase in frequency (e.g., paying extra attention to a child when throwing a throwing temper tantrum, pointing out every time the child does a negative behavior, etc.), so the parent or caregiver gets the opposite result that they expect. For example, some parents think that if they tell a child over and over again not to leave the light on when they leave the room, that soon the child will learn to turn the light of when s/he leaves the room. However, the exact opposite occurs because the child is being rewards through the attention that they receive from not turning the light off. Instead, the parent should catch a time when the child actually turns the light off, and praise and reward them for that behavior instead. This will increase the likelihood that this expected behavior would increase in frequency.

Let's look at the following illustrative example of a step-by-step 'correct' application of behavior modification techniques e.g., a child with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE: Behavior Modification Program for child with ADHD

Step 1-Evaluate and Repair Your Relationship

Take ...