StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Behavior Modification: The Proper Application of Reinforcement - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
The notion of positive reinforcement as a behavior modification technique has a long history and a wide variety of applications. People teach their dogs to sit and roll over by rewarding them with food when they perform the desired behavior correctly. It has also been applied in classrooms where students have learning disabilities…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER98.3% of users find it useful
Behavior Modification: The Proper Application of Reinforcement
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Behavior Modification: The Proper Application of Reinforcement"

Behavior Modification: The Proper Application of Reinforcement The notion of positive reinforcement as a behavior modification technique has a longhistory and a wide variety of applications. People teach their dogs to sit and roll over by rewarding them with food when they perform the desired behavior correctly. It has also been applied in classrooms where students have learning disabilities. The potential benefits of this form of behavior modification are significant; it must be noted, however, that there may be negative consequences when incorrect behaviors are rewarded.

This essay will provide a brief definition of reinforcement, explain how behavior can be modified when reinforcement is used correctly, and identify some negative outcomes when incorrect behavior is rewarded. As an initial matter, it is important to define what is meant by reinforcement. The basic concept involves a change in an organism's surroundings that happens regularly when the organism responds in a given manner and which is known to increase the probability that the given response will be performed (Reinforcement, 2005: np).

These surrounding variables are controlled or managed in order to study the effects of a particular type of reinforcement. It is not the organism which is being reinforced; instead it is the behavior which is the subject of the reinforcement, also known as operant conditioning (Michaels, 1975: 13). An early and authoritative statement defining reinforcement posited that, Events which are found to be reinforcing are of two sorts. Somereinforcements consist of presenting stimuli, of adding something - forexample, food, water, sexual contact - to the situation.

These we call positive reinforcers. Others consist of removing something - for example, a loud noise, a very bright light, extreme cold or heat, or electric shock - from the situation. These we call negative reinforcers. In both cases the effect of reinforcement is the same - the probability of response is increased. (Skinner, 1953: 73). The most significant question is how to modify behavior by using reinforcement properly. Research demonstrates that the correct use of reinforcement requires a clear identification and accounting for all of the variables relevant to a particular behavior.

In studies dealing with autistic children, for example, it has been found that using positive rewards, and maintaining a high level of reinforcement through teacher monitoring, has allowed instructors to modify the verbal behavior of these learning-challenged students (Caffrey & Rubin: 4). To manage or to modify behavior correctly, as set forth by Mather & Goldstein, it is necessary to carefully control the behavior modification process (2001: 97). First, the problem must be defined. This means a particular behavior must be defined.

Second, there must be a plan to alter the surroundings in order to induce behavioral changes. Third, there must be an identification of a useful positive reinforcer. Fourth, the reinforcer must be applied in a consistent manner and not veer off into the realm of punishment. These steps can increase the probability of reinforcement being a successful behavior modification technique. Finally, dangers arise when reinforcement is used incorrectly. Skinner's second type of reinforcement, a negative stimuli or punishment, has been shown to produce far less predictable results regarding behavior.

Indeed, "In experiments with laboratory animals and studies with children, punishment decreases the frequency of a previously reinforced response only temporarily, and it can produce other "emotional" behavior (wing-flapping in pigeons, for example) and physiological changes (increased heart rate, for example) that have no clear equivalents in reinforcement" (Reinforcement, 2005: np). The point is that reinforcement is a very strict process. Attempts to reinforce by punishing have resulted in, at best, short-term modifications of behavior in both humans and in animals.

Deviating from the positive or reward nature is likely to result in inconsistent and unpredictable behavior. In the final analysis, reinforcement has been shown to be a viable and useful technique for behavior modification. The key considerations are identifying and controlling the relevant variables, emphasizing the positive, and making efforts not to veer in the non-reinforcement realm of punishment. Used properly, reinforcement techniques can be used for animals, for humans, and in a wide variety of contexts.

ReferencesCaffrey, T. M. & Rubin, M. Teaching Verbal Behavior in the Classroom, pp 1-13. Retrieved August 30, 2006. Available: http://wpsx.psu.edu/autism/handouts/TomCaffrey.pdfMather, N., & Goldstein, S. (2001). Learning Disabilities and Challenging Behaviors: A Guide to Intervention and Classroom Management. Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co. pp. 96-117. Michael, J. (1975). POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE REINFORCEMENT, ADISTINCTION THAT IS NO LONGER NECESSARY;OR A BETTER WAY TO TALK ABOUT BAD THINGS.

A paper presented at the 4th Annual Conference on Behavior Analysis in Education, Lawrence, Kansas, and published in Ramp, E. & Semb, G. (Eds.), Behavioranalysis: Research and application. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice Hall, 1975.Available: http://www.behavior.org/journals_BP/2000/JackMichael.pdfReinforcement. (2005). Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved August 30, 2006. Available: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ReinforcementSkinner, B.F. Science and human behavior. New York: Macmillan, 1953.

Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Behavior Modification: The Proper Application of Reinforcement Essay”, n.d.)
Behavior Modification: The Proper Application of Reinforcement Essay. Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/miscellaneous/1499406-behavior-modification-the-proper-application-of-reinforcement
(Behavior Modification: The Proper Application of Reinforcement Essay)
Behavior Modification: The Proper Application of Reinforcement Essay. https://studentshare.org/miscellaneous/1499406-behavior-modification-the-proper-application-of-reinforcement.
“Behavior Modification: The Proper Application of Reinforcement Essay”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/miscellaneous/1499406-behavior-modification-the-proper-application-of-reinforcement.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Behavior Modification: The Proper Application of Reinforcement

Female Gangs, Their Roles and Behavior

The female rise in gangs for their own protection and gangs provide a sense of belonging to those that have no proper families to guide and support them accordingly (Siegel et al, 2012).... This paper seeks to explain the female gang families, their roles, behavior and structures in close relation to the family.... The females in the gangs assume different roles and have a code that governs their behavior within and outside the gang....
3 Pages (750 words) Admission/Application Essay

Autism's Effect on Skill Acquisition Learning

The child can then be ‘taught' how to use this skill by a variety of psychological techniques, such as positive reinforcement (Loaves et al, 1976).... This includes a variety of approaches, such as sensory integration, positive reinforcement and non-standardized tools (Watling et al, 1999).... These include, but are not limited to, therapies involving animals and music, massage therapy; relationship based models, communication interventions and applied behavior analysis (Autism Society, 2013)....
5 Pages (1250 words) Admission/Application Essay

Human Behavior: Mate Selection

or example, men are most likely to be more attracted to women who have very small jaws and non-prominent brows because this represents the proper amount of estrogen, which identifies this person as a healthy mate.... In turn women are inclined to be attracted to men who have prominent brows and squared jaws because it represents the proper amount of testosterone, which identifies him as having good reproductive health (Carey 1).... In the paper “Human behavior: Mate Selection” the author tries to understand the inner workings of human thought, human choice, and human biology, which has been a pursuit of the science, religion, and philosophy since the origins if mankind and the beginnings of civilization....
4 Pages (1000 words) Admission/Application Essay

Admission Letter to Federal Law Enforcement

The writer of this essay discusses an intellectual or creative opportunity from high school.... The essay considers study abroad program at Auburn University.... The writer discusses how his family, school, neighborhood, and background have impacted his educational goals and aspirations.... hellip;  God has blessed individuals with different intellectual and creative skills; however, it is imperative that individuals should grab the right opportunities at the right time to experience intellectual growth in personalities....
8 Pages (2000 words) Admission/Application Essay

The Observation of Moral Life to Its Codification

The paper describes the problem of the universals with its definition that first appeared in the teachings of Plato.... He maintained that general ideas have a real existence, while the individual things that appeared to people really existing did not exist in fact.... Ideas composed a special world....
4 Pages (1000 words) Admission/Application Essay

Analysis of the Film the Internship

The film “The Internship” shows how a globalized company like Google adapts to such changes (Levy, 2013).... The story revolves around two middle-aged, old school salesmen who suddenly found… They were able to wield their way to become interns at Google and work with a team of very young tech-savvy co-interns to win the much desired full-time jobs at the prestigious company. Technologically challenged and way older than the other interns, the characters, Billy McMahon (played by Vince Vaughn) and Nick Campbell (played by Owen Wilson), found it difficult to keep up with their co-interns' modern knowledge on the latest technology....
6 Pages (1500 words) Admission/Application Essay

California Proposition 47 affecting law enforcement

The proposition touches on the classification of crimes within the state of California.... Proposition 57 was meant to change the classification of seven categories of non-violent drug crimes and property crimes as… However, the changes in the classification of the seven categories will not change for individuals who have been convicted of violent or serious offense in the past and individuals how have a criminal record of a sex offense....
5 Pages (1250 words) Admission/Application Essay

Hurtful Behavior

In the paper “Hurtful behavior” the author describes his experience of being a first-born in the family as a challenging task for him since his parents expects from you to be a role model to the other offspring and be the most understanding person among the kids....  Hurtful behavior The life of being a first-born in most families is a challenging task for many since your parents expects you to be a role model to the other offspring and be the most understanding person among the kids....
2 Pages (500 words) Admission/Application Essay
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us