BEHAVIOUR

MODIFICATIONS
BY LAIBA IQBAL
BEHAVIOUR
“Any action (direct or indirect) that is based on
conscious or unconscious thoughts.”
BEHAVIOUR MODIFICATION
“ Behaviour modification is a treatment approach based
on the principles of operant conditioning, that
replaces undesirable behaviors with more desirable
ones through positive or negative reinforcements.”
PURPOSE
To change and adjust behaviors that are inappropriate
or undesirable in some way
To influence the consequences of Behaviour
Reducing health care costs
TYPES OF OPERANT CONDITIONING
2 types of operant conditioning are used in behaviour
modification

1. Reinforcement
2. Punishment
REINFORCEMENT
Responses from the environment that strengthen the
probability of a behavior being repeated

There are 2 types of reinforcements

1. Positive reinforcement
2. Negative reinforcement
POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT
Strengthens a behavior by adding something to the
environment e.g. reward
Positive reinforcement is usually most effective in
behavior modification
E.g. reward system
NEGATIVE REINFORCEMENT
Strengthens a behavior by removing something
unpleasant from the environment

E.g. removing distractions

PUNISHMENT
Responses from the environment that discourage the
likelihood of a behavior being repeated (weakens
behavior)
POSITIVE PUNISHMENT
Addition of something unpleasant to discourage an
undesired behavior
E.g. eating something with a bad taste or scolding
NEGATIVE PUNISHMENT
Removing of something pleasant to discourage an
undesired behavior
E.g. removing of food, keeping child away from tv or
video games
STAGES OF BEHAVIOUR MODIFICATION