behaviour modification Flashcards
modifying behaviour
a form of therapy in which reinforcement is systematically used to increase the number of instances of desired behaviour
an example of behaviour modification is in sport psychology where reinforcement is used to improve technique and reduce dangerous behaviour
in 2017, Ford assessed head-impact (a measure of risk of injury) using helmet sensors in American footballers and used individual mentoring to provide reinforcement to the high-risk players
mean impact density dropped by3.9% overall and by 4.7% on the top-of-head (particularly dangerous)
this behaviour modification has improved the players safety
behaviour shaping
used to encourage complex behaviours
this is done by reinforcing behaviour vaguely like what you are seeking, but only continue the reinforcement each time the behaviour becomes a step closer to the target behaviour
shaping occurs as children acquire language
when babies start to babble they are initially reinforced by adult attention and praise, but this only continues if the child goes on to produce recognisable words - and later, sequences of words
strength - application of behaviour modification
one strength of behaviour modification is that it can be applied to treating inappropriate behaviour
behaviour modification systems have been used to treat a range of mental health problems, ranging from schizophrenia to autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
for example, Lovaas therapy involves intensive reinforcement including shaping, in order to normalise some aspects of behaviour in children with ASD
therefore, this shows that behaviour modification is a practical benefit to clients who have behavioural problems
weakness - ethical issue (issues and debates)
behaviour modification techniques give therapists the power to determine the future behaviour of their clients
this is an ethical issue because this power is open to abuse
for example, behaviour modification could be used to condition a client to follow whatever behaviours the therapist considers normal
these might include wearing a suit and going to church
these things might conflict with the beliefs and preferences of the individual
therefore, this is important because clients in behavioural therapy have the human right of individual liberty within the bounds of the law
COUNTER ARGUMENT TO weakness - ethical issue (issues and debates)
although behaviour modification techniques are open to abuse they are not inherently abusive
in most cases the therapist and client can agree on what behaviours they are working towards
where this is not possible because of the client’s cognitive or communication abilities, therapists need to give careful consideration to ethical issues
