4 Proven Behavior Modification

Techniques with Examples

Behavior modification is a means of changing behavior through various
techniques used to replace undesirable behaviors with desirable ones.
Behavior modification techniques have been used to treat both adults and
children for various problems, such as enuresis (bedwetting), separation and
general anxiety, various phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), etc.
The methods use vary, but usually involve some form of positive or negative
reinforcement. This concept had its beginning in 1938, when B. F. Skinner
published his book The Behavior of Organisms, setting forth the principles of
operant conditioning – that behavior could be shaped by reinforcement or the
lack of reinforcement.

With behavior modification, you are not worried about the cause for the
behavior, you are only using a method to change it. In this article, we will
concentrate on modifying the behavior of children. Parents, teachers, and
anyone who works with or spends time with children will find these child
 behavior modification techniques provide a successful approach to having
children behave in acceptable and desired ways.

Using Positive and Negative Reinforcement for

Behavior Modification
There are four main components of behavior modification generally
recognized by experts in the field. You are probably familiar with each
component, although you may not have used these terms before. We will look
at each one and how parents and teachers can use them effectively in
modifying the behavior of children at home and in the classroom.

Positive Reinforcement
Positive reinforcement is using a reward for positive behavior to make sure
the child continues with the desired behavior. It is the most effective method of
shaping behavior because it is the most pleasant. For example, praise and
reward are both used in positive reinforcement.

Examples of Positive Reinforcements

 Your young child puts his dishes in the sink when he is finished eating and
you tell him, “Good for you! You put your dish in the sink before I asked you
to.”
 Your school-aged child earns time to play a favorite video game when
homework is completed without arguing.
 Your teenager studies hard all semester and receives an A for a challenging
subject. You take your teen out for dinner and a movie, or provide funds for a
special date night.

Examples of Negative Reinforcements

 You nag your son every night about getting chores completed. One night your
son decides to do his chores right after school to avoid hearing you nag him.
 Your child has been misbehaving on the bus every day on the way to school.
You decide to ride with him and when his friends ask why, he must tell them it
 is because he has been misbehaving or you tell them. He decides to behave,
especially when you tell him next time he will sit on your lap!
 Your teenager complains about not wanting to go to school during the entire
ride to school every morning. He hates country-western music, so you turn it
on and play it loudly. Your teenager stops complaining and talks on the way to
school so you won’t turn on country-western music.

Positive Punishment
If you present a negative consequence in response to negative behavior, you
are using positive punishment. An example is using natural consequences –
allowing a child to suffer the consequences for negative behavior – such as
getting a bad grade when homework is not completed and/or turned in.

Examples of Positive Punishments

 Your young child’s room is a mess with toys and clothes all over. You explain
that they must keep their own area clean. When they do not, you give them
extra chores to do.
 Your school-aged child comes home using language you consider to be
unacceptable. You have them write 100 sentences saying they will not use
such language again.
 Your teenager comes home late and does not call to give a reason for missing
their curfew. They are given a long lecture on being responsible.

Negative Punishment
With negative punishment, something is taken away in response to negative
behavior. For example, taking away electronics if homework is not completed,
or taking away toys not put away in a child’s room.

Examples of Negative Punishments

 You place your child in time-out for misbehavior, removing him from the
activity or environment he enjoys.
 Your child throws a temper tantrum and you use active ignoring to withdraw all
attention from her.
 Your teenager loses all cell phone and/or computer privileges when
homework is not completed.

 Remember to use positive reinforcement whenever possible, as

rewards are more effective for most children in modifying future
behaviors than are punishments.
 Behavior Modification Techniques in the
Classroom
Teachers can use behavior modification in their classroom to increase
desirable student behaviors and decrease undesirable ones. Behavior
modification is based on the idea that good behavior should be lead to
positive consequences, and bad behavior should lead to negative
consequences. When behavior modification is used consistently, students
slowly change their behavior.

 Positive reinforcement refers to giving a student something that will reinforce

their good behavior. Classroom discipline that relies mostly on positive
reinforcement is usually very effective. Examples of positive reinforcement
include praise, a reward system, or a token economy system.
 Negative reinforcement is when a student is motivated to change behavior
because it will take away something unpleasant. A student who stops a
behavior because his teacher yells at him is trying to get rid of the negative
reinforce (the yelling). Negative reinforcement should be used sparingly with
students, because it is less effective than positive reinforcement.
 Positive punishment is used to stop negative behaviors. Although it sounds
confusing to refer to punishment as positive, when you are using operant
conditioning, the term positive means adding, so a positive punishment
involves adding a consequence that will help deter a student from repeating
the behavior. For example, a small child picks his nose in class and the
teacher

 corrects him in front of the class, or a teen’s cellphone starts ringing

during class and he receives a lecture on why the phone should be
turned off.
  Negative punishment involves taking something away from a student.
Examples include taking away recess or removing the teacher’s positive
attention. Negative punishment can be a very effective way to help a
student learn from their mistakes.

When used consistently, modifications techniques can change a student’s

behavior. For example, start praising a student every time he shares, raises
his hand, or waits his turn to speak. Each time he speaks out in class without
raising his hand, ignore him, or take away a privilege. Over time, your
students will learn that good behavior leads to positive consequences and bad
behavior leads to negative consequences.

Using Behavior Modification Techniques for

Children
How to Determine the Best Behavior Modification for a
Child
Every child is different and what works to modify the behavior of one child
may not work for another. For example, sending a child who enjoys time alone
to their room for behavior modification may have little or no effect. If your child
does not enjoy using electronics, taking away time to play a video game will
not modify behavior.

For behavior modification to be effective, it should be used as soon as

possible. Consequences are positive punishments and are most effective
when they are “natural consequences,” what results when a child does not
behave as they should, such as falling when their shoelaces are not tied. We

have all learned lessons from natural consequences, even adults. An example
is running out of gas when we forget to fill up, or losing our car keys when we
do not put them in the same place all the time. Natural consequences are
excellent behavior modifiers.

Behavior modification is also a way to teach desirable long-term behaviors,

such as completing homework each day, making one’s bed and cleaning up
one’s room, using good manners, telling the truth, and taking care of personal
 hygiene. When behavior modification is used to teach long-term desired
behavior, it is best to teach one step at a time. For example, if you are
teaching your young child to clean their room, start with having them make
their bed each morning. When that task is mastered, make sure they put their
dirty clothes in the hamper each time they take them off and put their shoes
where they belong. Each time a task is mastered, move on to another.

One common example of positive punishment is spanking. If you spank a

child, you are giving him something, not taking something away. However,
spanking and other forms of corporal punishment are not recommended, as
they can increase behavior problems. You know your child and what types of
behavior reinforcement work. A child may respond to corporal punishment if
only used very rarely and when all other methods of behavior modification
have failed. If possible, always use alternatives to physical discipline.

How to Use Behavior Modification to Change Your

Child’s Behavior
When you want to change your child’s behavior, use positive reinforcement for
good behavior and negative punishment for each incident of misbehavior.

Making Consequences Effective

 Consequences Must Be Consistent. If you do not use the same

consequence consistently, a child may decide it is worth the risk to
misbehave. However, if he knows that each infraction always results in the
same consequence, he will likely change behavior to avoid the consequence.
 Consequences Should Be Immediate. A child needs immediate feedback,
both positive and negative. Waiting weeks to earn a reward may not reinforce
good behaviors each day. Offering an immediate positive consequence is
more likely to help your child repeat the desired behavior.

 Consequences Should be Effective. Children react differently when

positive and negative consequences are used. If your behavior
modification system does not produce the desired effect, it should be
reviewed and revised immediately.
How to Set up a Behavior Modification Plan
Step #1 Consider the Child

Every child is different and responds differently. Some respond better to

positive reinforcement and some to negative. You also need to take into
consideration the age and maturity level of the child. A young child is
motivated by different behavior modification techniques than a teenager is.
Your young child may respond to attention or a smile, while your older child
might require public recognition to positively reinforce behaviors.

Step #2 Consider the Behavior Your Wish to Modify

Is the behavior one that is easy to modify or will several steps of behavior
modification be required? For example, if you are attempting to have a child
brush their teeth before bed, it will probably take consistent positive
reinforcement, but is not as large a task as cleaning up their entire room each
day, which may involve several behavior modification techniques.

Step #3 Consider the Method That Will Work Best

Children respond differently to behavior modification techniques. Most

children respond very well to positive reinforcement. However, the teen years
can be a challenge and may require some negative reinforcement.
Additionally, choose a behavior modification plan that is easy to use, so that
your will not have trouble consistently following it.

Step #4 Choose a Behavior Modification Plan

Beware of behavior modification plans and techniques available in book form.

Remember, behavior modification plans that work the best are made
specifically for an individual child. Your behavior modification plan should
include both reinforcers, consequences designed to increase desired
behavior, and punishments, consequences that reduce unwanted behavior.
The best method is to offer natural consequences or logical consequences
based upon the behavior modification your child needs.

Your behavior modification plan can include one or more of the following:
 Attention. Giving a child attention is a positive reinforcer and can be very
effective. Spending time with your child, talking to them, and verbally
acknowledging good behavior are all ways to provide attention.
 Praise. Another positive consequence is praise. Praising your child for a task
well done will encourage your child to repeat the behavior.
 Rewards. Tangible rewards, such as earning a new toy, also modify behavior.
However, tangible rewards do not need to cost money. Free rewards, such as
a special trip to the park for your young child, or staying out a bit after curfew
for a special occasion for your teenager, also work well.
 Consequences. Your behavior plan should also include the use of
consequences, both natural and parent imposed. If your child loves a
particular activity, taking it away in response to poor

grades may encourage them to do better. Consequences influence how likely

a child or student is to repeat a specific behavior. Negative consequences
deter bad behavior. Positive consequences increase the chances that a child
or student will repeat a good behavior. Conclusion

Behavior modification techniques work in many situations. Child behavior

modification techniques include the use of both positive and negative
reinforcements, and positive and negative punishments. Parents can use a
behavior modification plan to teach their children to have good habits and
behavior. Classroom control become easier when a teacher knows how to use
behavior modification techniques effectively.

Using the information in this article about behavior modification and the
suggestions for how to use both positive and negative reinforcers,
punishments, and consequences, can teach children and students to learn
and repeat desired behaviors. Remember to formulate a plan and you will
begin to see the results almost immediately.

Susan Box Mann

Susan majored in English with a double minor in Humanities and Business at Arizona
State University and earned a Master’s degree in Educational Administration from
Liberty University. She taught grades four through twelve in both public and private
schools. Subjects included English, U.S. and world history and geography, math, earth
and physical science, Bible, information technologies, and creative writing.
Susan has been freelance writing for over ten years, during which time she has written
and edited books, newspaper articles, biographies, book reviews, guidelines,
neighborhood descriptions for realtors, Power Point presentations, resumes, and
numerous other projects.
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