Behavior Modification Techniques - Insights and Suggestions For Their Use in Parenting

Behavior modification techniques have a long, and sometimes controversial, history.

Behavior modification techniques derive from psychological treatment approaches based on the tenents of operant conditioning proposed by B.F. Skinner. The theories of operant conditioning state that behavior can be shaped by reinforcement or lack of it. Skinner introduced operant conditioning to the general public in his 1938 book, The Behavior of Organisms.

As a treatment technique, behavior modification is used to address many problems in both adults and children. Behavior modification has been successfully used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), phobias, generalized anxiety disorder, enuresis (bed-wetting), separation anxiety disorder, and others.

Behavior Modification Techniques - Insights and Suggestions For Their Use in Parenting

Behavior modification techniques rely on the conscious and planned application of various consequences for behavior to encourage children to replace undesirable behaviors with desirable ones.

Behavioral analysts have observed that all behaviors lead to three basic types of consequences:

* Punishment - a person receives something they do not want as a result of their behavior.
* Penalty - a person loses something they already have as the result of their behavior.
* Reinforcement - a person experiences something that encourages them to repeat a behavior. Reinforcers can be either negative or positive.

Two key tenets of behavior modification are that people choose most, if not all, of their behaviors and that they choose their behaviors based on what they expect to happen as a result of their behavior.

In effect, behavior modification techniques rely on externally applied consequences that are either pleasant or unpleasant in an effort to drive the choice away from undesirable behaviors and towards desirable behaviors.

For example, parents might "punish" a behavior by applying an unpleasant consequence to it in the hope that their child will avoid repeating that behavior in the future.

Likewise, parents might reward a behavior by giving the child something pleasant as a result of their behavior in the hope that their child will repeat the desirable behavior in the future.

Positive reinforcements, like rewards and recognition, can create high-level, willing cooperation. Punishment, penalty, and negative reinforcement tend to create bare-minimum, compliance type behavior.

These techniques have both proponents and critics. Proponents argue that behavior modification techniques teach children the direct correlation between their behavior and the consequences they receive. Critics argue that the techniques teach children to respond only to external stimuli, and that they fail to teach children to self-regulate their behavior.

In my experience as a parent, I have found that a blended approach to parenting works very well. Study and selectively apply behavior modification techniques when a child is younger and then gradually introduce less externally driven motivational strategies as the child grows in intellectual understanding and reasoning ability.

If you choose to use behavior modification techniques as a parent, I strongly recommend that you use a systematic approach so that you will consistently apply rewards, punishments, and penalties with little regard to your emotional or physical energy state at the time you apply the consequences.

Behavior Modification Techniques - Insights and Suggestions For Their Use in Parenting
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With his wife Sandra, Guy Harris co-created a positive parenting program called The Behavior Bucks System. Guy and Sandra Harris are both Human Behavioral Consultants and parents.

In The Behavior Bucks System, they share what they have learned from both research and practical experience. This system:
* Provides positive parenting tips,
* Applies positive parenting techniques,
* Implements sound behavior modification techniques,
* Addresses child behavior management and control, and
* Teaches how to change your kid's behavior.

The Behavior Bucks System provides a systematic method for addressing complex behavioral issues in a simple and straight forward way.
This system comes complete with everything you need to create a powerful positive parenting program in your home.

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