3B: Behaviour Modification

Question 1

Behaviour modification

Answer 1

Field of psychology concerned with analysing and modifying human behaviour.

Question 2

Steps in Assessment

Answer 2

Collect and analyse information and data

1. Identify and describe target behaviours
2. Identify possible causes of the behaviour
3. Guide the selection of an appropriate behavioural treatment
4. Evaluate treatment outcome

Question 3

Target behaviours

Answer 3

The focus of a behaviour modification program

Defined specifically in order to be measured and monitored to assess change

Question 4

Functional Assessment

Answer 4

Relies on two questions to understand cause of problem behaviour:
• What are the antecedents?
• What are the immediate consequences?

Question 5

Applied Behaviour Analysis

Answer 5

ABA is a clinical discipline

General principles of learning and behaviour employed to solve or reduce social problems

Question 6

Applied (ABA)

Answer 6

Selected behaviours need to be socially acceptable
They need to be important to the individual whose behaviour is being modified
They need to be important to the individual’s family

Question 7

Behavioural (ABA)

Answer 7

If there are several target behaviours, it is important to prioritise the behaviours in order of importance
Control of behaviour is a key focus of ABA
Identifying the function of a behaviour = manipulation of environmental events + observation of changes in behaviour

Question 8

Analytic (ABA)

Answer 8

The aim is to demonstrate a functional relation between the treatment and any observed changes in the target behaviour
This may be achieved by selecting a design that is best suited for the experimental question

Question 9

Technological (ABA)

Answer 9

When conducting experiments and implementing behavioural interventions, procedures need to be thoroughly and accurately described

Question 10

Conceptually systematic (ABA)

Answer 10

Interventions need to be based on basic behaviour principles derived from empirically validated research
e.g. extinction and schedules of reinforcement

Question 11

Effective (ABA)

Answer 11

Procedures are evaluated via visual inspection of the data
Statistical analysis to determine the significance of behaviour change is rarely used (in individual case)
Behaviour change needs to be socially important

Question 12

Generalisable (ABA)

Answer 12

Behaviour change needs to occur across different settings

Behaviour change needs to occur when different individuals/caregivers implement the intervention