Extinction as a Tool for Behavior Modification
Introduction
Modern behavior modification relies on the basic principles of operant conditioning. Within operant conditioning, reinforcement, a behavioral consequence that results in the increase of future behaviors, and punishment, a consequence that results in the decrease of future behaviors, are used to manipulate behavioral deficits or excesses within individuals (Miltenberger, 2016, p. 67, 102).While these two procedures are used frequently within behavior modification, other tools, such as extinction, are frequently used as well. Extinction is the process of no longer providing reinforcement for behaviors that have been previously reinforced. The result of this process is that the behavior
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Escape is a behavior that seeks to avoid an aversive stimulus that is already present in the environment. Cote, Thompson, and McKerchar (2005) wondered if antecedent strategies and escape extinction could be used as an intervention for children struggling to complete transitions without engaging in problem behaviors. The antecedent strategies of a two minute warning and giving the child a transitioning object were tried. In the extinction condition, the child was blocked from escaping and gestural and full-physical prompts were given to assist the child in transitioning (Cote, Thompson, & McKerchar, 2005, p. 236). In this condition, the child did not receive the usual reinforcement of the staff member talking with him or giving him attention, allowing him to escape, or giving him alternative options. In this study, the antecedent strategies alone did not result in a decrease in the problematic behaviors. However, the extinction condition, where problematic behaviors were no longer reinforced, showed a major decrease in problematic behaviors. Interestingly, a combination of the antecedent strategies and escape extinction also showed reduced problematic behaviors (Cote, Thompson, & McKerchar, 2005, p.
The visual representation above displays an intervention procedure used to decrease Tommy's throwing behavior by implementing extinction and differential reinforcement of alternative behavior (DRA). Baseline data was recorded for five consecutive days before the intervention phase was implemented. The baseline data shows a high level in frequency of throwing behavior. Once baseline was stable, the intervention phase was implemented and recorded for ten consecutive days. Extinction and DRA were implemented as part of the intervention procedure. The data path during intervention displayed a decreasing trend with low variability. The use of a A-B design can have a disadvantage as it does not establish a functional relation that confirms
Keeping in mind that identifying the variables that maintain problem behavior (reinforcement) is more affective for treatment selection (Mevers, Fisher, Kelley, and Fredrick, 2014), one common treatment for problem behavior is Noncontingent reinforcement. (Carr, Severston, & Lepper, 2009). NCR is used in combination with extinction for problem behavior and involves dense schedules of reinforcement that are decreased gradually (as cited in; Phillips, Iannaccone, Rooker, and Hagopian, 2017). The problem behavior may be replaced by an alternative behavior already existing in the individual repertoire, during NCR (Virues-Ortega, Iwata, Fahmie, and Harper, 2013). The American Psychological Association’s Division 12 criteria for empirically supported treatments established NCR and extinctions as an effective treatment for problem behavior (Chambless & Hollon, 1998). When the schedules of NCR are dense there is a reduction of the Motivating operation (MO) for problem behavior (as cited in; Phillips, Iannaccone, Rooker, and Hagopian, 2017). NCR is more effective when the same reinforcement maintaining the behavior (functional reinforcement) is used in the contingency instead of an alternative reinforcement (as cited in Phillips,iannaccone, Rooker, & Hagopian, 2017). Thus, the same reinforcement responsible for maintaining problem behavior should be used in an NCR contingency (Vollmer et al. 1993). In a study by Phillips, Iannaccone, Rooker, & Hagopian (2017), Non-contingent
The purpose of the goal staff will be to help a youngster in improving a specific behavior. This goal will be assessed by the staff and they will present their review twice a day on the basis of their observation that they noticed in an individual regarding a specific behavior.
*Since Week 1 was unsuccessful in going to sleep around that specific goal time I changed my project by pushing my sleep goals back 30 minutes for the remaining 4 weeks.
At the beginning of the spring semester, when I read the syllabus for the Models of psychotherapy class assignments, the one that took my attention was about behavioral change exercise. I thought, this exercise could help me through my high temper combined with my anger issues by screaming all the time my family. In all my college experience this was the specific project I was really looking forward to complete. Not just for doing my homework, but also because I was thinking this will be really beneficial for my family well been and my own harmony.
Multiple treatments have been established to treat escape maintained behavior. Escape extinction is often utilized in the treatment of behaviors that are maintained through the removal of demands. Escape extinction involves no longer allowing the delay, removal, or avoidance of demands contingent on the occurrence of the problem behavior (Iwata, Pace, Kalsher, Cowdery, & Cataldo, 1990). Escape extinction provides some advantages as it is easily compatible with other treatments, increasing the effectiveness of those treatments. However, escape extinction may have some disadvantages including that it may be difficult for those providing treatment to do so with high levels of integrity due to the effort involved in doing so. If treatment is not implemented consistently it may make it more difficult to implement extinction in the future (McConnachi & Carr, 1997). There may also be an increase in the targeted response and aggression following extinction (Lerman, Iwata, & Wallace, 1999). While extinction is effective there are associated side effects that are incompatible with wide spread use in many public settings such as classrooms. There is a need for
The slides I reviewed for professional behavior was under the Medical Professional because this is my desired field, which Health Information Technology (HIT). Three slides were present for this review which provided a range of different attire for each group except the last slide. In the first slide there was a group two of the individuals were in business wear such as dress pants and shirts which is the norm for physicians as one had a stethoscope while the other wore a lab coat over his clothes. The others were dressed in uniforms or scrubs as they probably work in clinical areas of a health care organization. Slide number two was similar to the first one with one exception there was an individual dressed more like her worked in health
There are two common type of disruptive behavior disorders that affects children lives in a negative fashion when not treated properly. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (2004) “Behaviors typical of disruptive behavior disorders can closely resemble ADHD particularly where impulsivity and hyperactivity are involved but ADHD, ODD, and CD are considered separate conditions that can occur independently. About one third of all children with ADHD have coexisting ODD, and up to one quarter have coexisting CD” .The two types of disruptive behavior disorders are oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder. Some symptoms of disruptive behavior disorder is breaking rules, defiant, argumentative, disobedient behaviors towards authority
This paper discusses professional application of the behavior modification model. The theoretical basis for this model is behavioral theory. This model emphasizes the client system, but will shift focus to the mezzo system when needed. The process of behavior modification is outlined in detail in this paper. To end the paper, there will be articles that support this model and prove its effectiveness with individuals.
Today schools are faced with an overwhelming amount of behavior problems as a result they have incorporated programs to help create a positive culture within each school system. Several behavior management programs have been implemented in schools all over the United States therefore the school environment can run more smoothly. Here are some approaches that aid in creating a positive and safe environment in schools.
The conference I attended was the Association of Positive Behavior Support (APBS) annual International Conference on Positive Behavior Support (PBS). APBS is an international organization that is focusing its research on positive behavior support. This association works with a variety of members from all different fields that are interested in PBS. Their mission is to reduce negative behavior by creating and devolving a system that supports and implements positive behavior.
Waking up in the morning, weather it for school or work, is something most people struggle with, so I chose it for my behavior modification project. Every morning when I get up for school I find it hard to stay awake. Ether after my alarm or after i'm woken up I usually fall back to sleep. This could be the result of staying up to late, but I usually get to bed at a good time. My goal going into this project was to be able to get up and stay up at the end of the modification. I feel that this could be achieved it just might take more than three days.
Operant behavior may eventually fade off and possibly even stop if reinforcement is discontinued. This is an important concept to the clinical side of behavior because the problem behavior will eventually decrease in frequency, duration, and intensity. It is important for individuals running extinction to know that the process of the extinction of a problem behavior may have side effects which include the response burst, the response variation, aggression, emotional behavior, and spontaneous recovery (Vollmer & Athens, 2011).
Behavior Modification, a psychological theory of human behavior. It evolved from the application of experimentally derived principles of learning to the modification of problem behaviors. The theory is based on a psychological model of human behavior that rejects the psychoanalytic or quasi-disease model of mental illness. Approaches to behavior modification assume that abnormal behavior is acquired and maintained in the same manner as normal behavior and can be changed directly through the application of social-learning principles. Assessment procedures focus on describing how an individual behaves, thinks, and feels in specific situations. Treatment methods are derived from the theories and findings of
Are you the type of person who wants to be able to go to work everyday doing something you love, helping others who need it, and getting a smile on your face just by the smallest of things that someone does? That is the type of person I am, which is why I chose the career path of a Behavior Specialist. A Behavior Specialist is someone who works with a person who may have a disability, and they study and work with them to make things as easy as possible for their daily life. They focus on the perception of life, however sometimes hesitate to present the strong conclusions how behaviors cause certain emotion (Thompson). A Behavior Specialist is also known as a Social Psychologist, because they study how a person’s mental life and behavior are shaped by interactions with other people (“Pardon Our Interruption”). The four main behaviors that Behavior Specialists look for when studying the actions of a person are, “Self-awareness, emotion, motivation, and feelings” (“Modeling the Early Human Mind”). Although I believe being a Behavior Specialist is a dream job, there are always issues that go along with any job, in this case emotions play a role in the occupation working with people who need extra help.