MODULE 5

Behavior Modification

ASSIGNMENT NO. 4

POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT:

These reinforcers increase response frequency.

KINDS OF REINFORCEMENT:

 Natural reinforcers are those that occur directly as a result of the behavior. For
example, a girl studies hard, pays attention in class and does her homework. As a
result, she gets excellent grades.
 Token reinforcers are points or tokens that are awarded for performing certain
actions. These tokens can then be exchanged for something of value.

 Social reinforcers involve expressing approval of a behavior, such as a teacher,

parent, or employer saying or writing "Good job" or "Excellent work."

 Tangible rein forcers involve the presentation of an actual, physical reward such as
candy, treats, toys, money and other desired objects. While these types of rewards
can be powerfully motivating, they should be used sparingly and with caution.

ADVANTAGES:

1. The pattern is being set for a student to learn what types of behaviors/actions are
acceptable in the classroom.
2. The token economy system encourages students to take appropriate risks.
3. Praise creates a non-competitive environment and helps a student to become
comfortable in receiving praise. (encourages students individual effort without being
comparative)
 DISADVANTAGES:

1. Kids can become dependent on rewards

2. Students can lose motivation if rewards are taken away
3. Rewards may decrease students motivation by having them focus on receiving a
reward instead of learning.

o NEGATIVE REINFORCEMENT:

These strengthen behavior by their removal.

KINDS OF REINFORCEMENT:

 Before heading out for a day at the beach, you slather on sunscreen (the behavior) to
avoid getting sunburned (removal of the aversive stimulus).

 You decide to clean up your mess in the kitchen (the behavior) to avoid getting into
a fight with your roommate (removal of the aversive stimulus).
 On Monday morning, you leave the house early (the behavior) to avoid getting stuck
in traffic and being late for class (removal of an aversive stimulus).
 At dinner time, a child pouts and refuses to each the vegetables on her plate. Her
parents quickly take the offending veggies away. Since the behavior (pouting) led to
the removal of the aversive stimulus (the veggies), this is an example of negative
reinforcement.

ADVANTAGES:

1. To identify and establish the behavior to be modified which will eventually lead to
the desired behavior.
 2. The student understands the reason for the behavior and no longer exhibits the
behavior.
3. The pattern is being set for a student to learn what types of behaviors/actions are
acceptable in the classroom.

DISADVANTAGES:

1. Decrease student’s self-esteem and confidence.

2. The student will become non-responsive.
3. Student feels threatened and unwelcomed in the classroom.

PUNISHMENT:

It occurs when an instrumental behavior produces, or is followed by an aversive or

unpleasant consequence that is termed as a punisher.

TYPES OF PUNISHMENT:

 Positive Punishment: This type of punishment is also known as "punishment by

application." Positive punishment involves presenting an aversive stimulus after a
behavior as occurred. For example, when a student talks out of turn in the middle of
class, the teacher might scold the child for interrupting her.
 Negative Punishment: This type of punishment is also known as "punishment by
removal." Negative punishment involves taking away a desirable stimulus after a
behavior as occurred. For example, when the student from the previous example
talks out of turn again, the teacher promptly tells the child that he will have to miss
recess because of his behavior.

ADVANTAGES OF PUNISHMENT:

 It will weaken the negative action of the doer.

 There are some who will make this as an inspiration to avoid doing it again.
 This will serve as their eye-opener of their wrong actions.
 PROBLEMS OF PUNISHMENT (Mittenberger; B&B)
 
1. Punishment is negatively reinforcing to the punisher. It results in them getting what they
want, a decrease in another individual’s behavior.
 
2. Escape and avoid: Individuals experiencing punishment will take steps to escape the
aversive stimuli. Eventually, they will avoid the punisher as much as possible.

3. Aggression: alternative to escaping and avoiding. Particularly likely if escape is

impossible.
 
4. Apathy (generalized response suppression): when most responses respond in
punishment, best thing to do may be nothing.
 
5. Misuse and Abuse (Ethical Concerns): Intensity of punishment required to decrease
behavior to acceptable levels may be defined by a society as abuse.
 
6. Imitation of the Punisher: People raised with certain punishment experiences are likely
to use those punishment experiences to control other’s behavior.
 
7. Punishment Conditions Negative Emotions: Punisher is paired with negative emotions.