Characteristics of Behavior
1. Involves an individual’s actions not labels
2. Involves measurable dimensions
- frequency - duration
- intensity
- latency
3. Can be observed, described, and recorded
4. Has an impact on the environment (physical or social)
5. Behavior is lawful
6. May be overt or covert
Characteristics of Behavior Modification
1. Focus on behavior
- behavioral excesses or deficits
2. Based on basic behavioral principles
3. Emphasis on current environmental events
- antecedents and consequences
4. Procedures are clearly described
5. Measurement of behavior change
- immediate and long term
6. No emphasis on the past
7. Rejection of underlying causes
- explanatory fictions
- medical model vs. behavioral model
8. Treatment implemented by people in everyday life
Common Misconceptions
About Behavior Modification
Relies on punishment
Uses bribes
Simplistic
Ignores the real causes of behavior, just treats the symptoms Leads to people controlling each other
Ruins intrinsic motivation
Makes people dependent on external incentives
Dehumanizes people
It only works with kids and individuals with disabilities
Historical Roots of Behavior Modification
1911
Thorndike - Animal Intelligence (law of effect) 1924
Watson - Behaviorism
1927
Pavlov - Conditioned Reflexes
1930’s Skinner - Basic research on behavioral principles
- 40’s
1938
Skinner - Behavior of Organisms
1950's Behavior modification with humans
1953
Skinner - Science and Human Behavior
1957
Skinner – Verbal Behavior
1958
Journal of the Experimental Analysis of
Behavior
1963
Behaviour Research and Therapy (journal)
Historical Roots of
Behavior Modification, con’t
1966
1968
1970
1970
Assoc. for Advancement of Behavior Therapy
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis (Baer, Wolf, & Risley,
1968)
