Using The Behavioral Approach

Define and contrast the three types of

behavioral learning theories (contiguity,
classical conditioning, and operant
conditioning), giving examples of how each
can be used in the classroom.

Developed by W. Huitt & J. Hummel (1999)

 Behavior Modification Techniques

There are five categories of activities that can be

addressed with behavior modification
techniques:
• Develop a new behavior
• Strengthen a behavior
• Maintain an established behavior
• Stop inappropriate behavior
• Modify emotional behavior

Adapted from: Krumboltz, J., & Krumboltz, H. (1972). Changing children's

behavior. New York: Prentice-Hall.
 Behavior Modification Techniques

Develop a new behavior

To teach a child to act in a

Successive manner in which he has
Approximatio seldom or never before
n Principle behaved, reward
successive steps to the
final behavior (also called
shaping).
 Behavior Modification Techniques

Develop a new behavior

To develop a new
Continuous behavior that the child
Reinforcement has not previously
Principle exhibited, arrange for an
immediate reward after
each correct
performance.
 Behavior Modification Techniques

Develop a new behavior

To increase a child's
Negative performance in a particular
Reinforcement way, arrange for him to
Principle avoid or escape a mild
aversive situation by
improving his behavior or by
allowing him to avoid the
aversive situation by
behaving appropriately.
 Behavior Modification Techniques

Develop a new behavior

To teach a child to
Cueing remember to act at a
Principle specific time, arrange for
him to receive a cue for
the correct performance
just before the action is
expected rather than after
he has performed it
incorrectly.
 Behavior Modification Techniques

Strengthen a new behavior

To encourage a child to
Decreasing continue performing an
Reinforceme established behavior with
nt Principle few or no rewards,
gradually require a longer
time period or more
correct responses before a
correct behavior is
rewarded.
 Behavior Modification Techniques

Strengthen a new behavior

To improve or increase a
Variable child's performance of a
Reinforceme certain activity, provide
nt Principle the child with an
intermittent reward.
 Behavior Modification Techniques

Maintain an established behavior

To change reinforcers
when a previously
Substitution
effective reward is no
Principle
longer controlling
behavior, present it just
before (or as soon as
possible to) the time you
present the new, hopefully
more effective reward.
 Behavior Modification Techniques

Stop an inappropriate behavior

To stop a child from

acting in a particular way,
Satiation
you may allow him to
Principle
continue (or insist that he
continue) performing the
undesired act until he tires
of it.
 Behavior Modification Techniques

Stop an inappropriate behavior

To stop a child from

acting in a particular way,
Extinction
you may arrange
Principle
conditions so that he
receives no rewards
following the undesired
act.
 Behavior Modification Techniques

Stop an inappropriate behavior

To stop a child from

acting in a particular way,
Incompatible
you may reward an
Alternative
alternative action that is
Principle
inconsistent with or
cannot be performed at
the same time as the
undesired act.
 Behavior Modification Techniques

Stop an inappropriate behavior

To stop a child from acting
in a certain way, remove a
Response pleasant stimulus
Cost immediately after the action
Principle occurs. Since response cost
results in increased hostility
and aggression, it should
only be used infrequently
and in conjunction with
reinforcement.
 Behavior Modification Techniques

Modify emotional behavior

To teach a child to avoid a

certain type of situation,
Avoidance
simultaneously present to
Principle
the child the situation to
be avoided (or some
representation of it) and
some aversive condition (or
its representation).
 Behavior Modification Techniques

Modify emotional behavior

To help a child overcome

his fear of a particular
Fear
situation, gradually increase
Reduction
his exposure to the feared
Principle
situation while he is
otherwise comfortable,
relaxed, secure or
rewarded.