lecture 1 - Introduction to Behaviour Modification

What is Behaviour Modification?

• The applied science and professional practice concerned with analyzing and modifying human behaviour

• Synonymous with Applied Behaviour Analysis

Characteristics of Behaviour

1. Involves an individual’s actions not labels

2. Involves measurable dimensions

- frequency - duration

- intensity - latency

3. Can be observed, described, and recorded

4. Has an impact on the environment (physical or social)

5. Behavior is lawful

6. May be overt or covert

Characteristics of Behaviour: An example

An infant lies in her crib and cries loudly. Her mother picks her up and feeds her.

1. Action: infant crying

2. Measurable dimensions: frequency, latency, intensity and duration of crying

3. Can be observed, described, and recorded

4. Has an impact on the environment (physical or social)

5. Behavior is lawful (behaviour is influenced by the environment – mom being absent)

6. Overt

10 Characteristics of Behavior Modification

1. Focus on behavior

2. Guided by the theory and philosophy of behaviorism

3. Based on basic behavioral principles

4. Emphasis on current environmental events

5. Procedures are based on behavioural principles and precise description of behaviour modification procedures

6. Identifying controlling variables

7. Treatment implemented by people in everyday life

8. Measurement of behavior change

9. De-emphasis on past events

10. Rejection of underlying causes

1. Focus on behavior - meaning

- behavioral excesses or deficits

2. Guided by the theory and philosophy of behaviorism - meaning

–behaviours are lawful and controlled by environmental events (close temporal relation the behavior)

3. Based on basic behavioral principles - meaning

4. Emphasis on current environmental events - meaning

- antecedents and consequences

5. Procedures are based on behavioural principles and precise description of behaviour modification procedures - meaning

6. Identifying controlling variables - meaning

7. Treatment implemented by people in everyday life - meaning

- Developed by professionals, often implemented by supervisors and caregivers

8. Measurement of behavior change - meaning

- immediate and long term

9. De-emphasis on past events - meaning

10. Rejection of underlying causes - meaning

Common Misconceptions About Behavior Modification

• Relies on punishment

• Uses bribes

• Simplistic

• Ignores the real causes of behavior, just treats the symptoms

• Leads to people controlling each other

• Ruins intrinsic motivation

• Makes people dependent on external incentives

• Dehumanizes people

• It only works with kids and individuals with disabilities

Historical Roots of Behavior Modification

• Ivan P. Pavlov (1849-1936): respondent conditioning

• Edward L. Thorndike (1874-1949): law of effect

• John B. Watson (1878-1958): stimulus-response psychology

• B.F. Skinner (1904-1990): respondent versus operant conditioning

Evolution of Behavior Modification and Applied Behavior Analysis

• Basic demonstrations of environmental influences on behavior (with lab animals then people)

• Development of treatments primarily consisting of reinforcement and/or punishment

• Development of treatment packages

• Development and refinement of functional assessment/functional analysis

• Functional approach to assessment and intervention

• Wide range of applications and refinements

Areas of Application

• Developmental disabilities

• Mental illness

• Education and special education

• Rehabilitation

• Community psychology

• Clinical/counseling psychology

• Business, industry, and human services

• Self-management

• Child behavior management

• Prevention

• Sports performance

• Health-related behaviors

Professional Practice, Certification, and Ethics

• Evolution of behavior modification into a profession

• The development of certification by the BACB

• Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB)

• Ethical guidelines to govern the practice and protect consumers

Purposes of Behavioural Assessment in Behavior Modification

• Decide if a problem exists? Is treatment necessary?

• Decide on the best treatment

• Measure treatment effects (requires assessment before and after treatment)

• As a treatment component (reactivity)

Types of Behavioural Assessment

• Indirect Assessment

• Direct Assessment

Indirect Assessment

• Interviews

• Questionnaires

• Rating scales

Direct Assessment

• Direct observation and recording of the target behaviour as it occurs

Direct or indirect assessment?

1. At the end of the day, the parent recalls how many times her child used the toilet that day.

Direct or indirect assessment?

2. Each time the child pees in the toilet, the parent marks it down on a data sheet

Direct or indirect assessment?

3. Each time the young woman’s iphone vibrates, she writes down the negative thoughts she is currently experiencing.

Direct or indirect assessment?

4. During a behavioral interview, the young woman reports how much negative thinking she experienced after arguing with her boyfriend.

Recording Behavior

1. Define the target behavior

2. Identify who, when, and where to record – the logistics of recording

3. Choose a recording method (what to record)

4. Choose a recording instrument (how to record)

5. Consider reactivity of recording

6. Interobserver agreement assessment

1. Defining the Target Behavior

• Describe what the person does and says (avoid labels)

• Use active verbs (objective and unambiguous)

• No inference about internal states or motivation

• Defined so that two people could agree

2. Who Should Record?

• Independent observer

• E.g., caregiver, professional (behaviour analyst, psychologist)

• Can include observation from video

• Self-monitoring

When and Where to Record

• Define observation periods (when/where you will record)

• Record in

• natural settings or

• analogue settings

• Use

• structured observations or

• unstructured observations

3. Recording Methods

1. Continuous recording (event recording)

2. Percentage of opportunities

3. Product recording

4. Interval recording (partial versus whole)

5. Time sample recording

1. Continuous recording (event recording)

Record every instance of the behavior occurring during the observation period. May record frequency, duration, intensity, latency, or percentage of opportunities

2. Percentage of opportunities

3. Product recording

Record the tangible outcome or permanent product of the occurrence of the behavior

4. Interval recording (partial versus whole)

Record the occurrence or nonoccurrence of the behavior in consecutive intervals of time during an observation period

5. Time sample recording

Record the occurrence or nonoccurrence of the behavior in discontinuous intervals of time (time samples) during an observation period

Quick Activity: What type of recording method?

1. Recording how many times Bob lifts the weight

Quick Activity: What type of recording method?

2. Recording how long it took Bob to get to the weight bench once he entered the gym

Quick Activity: What type of recording method?

3. Recording at the end of each minute whether Bob is lifting weights (versus talking to friends).

Quick Activity: What type of recording method?

4. Measuring the size of Bob’s biceps over the course of the semester

4. Choose a Recording Instrument

• Data sheet (paper and pencil)

• Others

- stop watch for duration

- smart phone, electronics

- golf stroke counter for frequency

• Recording must be immediate and practical

5. Reducing Reactivity

• What is reactivity? → Being observed alters behaviour

• How do you minimize reactivity?

• Wait until the person being observed becomes accustomed to the observer or to self-monitoring

• Record surreptitiously through observation windows or with participant observers

6. Interobserver Agreement (IOA)

• How much observers agree on behavioural occurrence

• Minimally acceptable IOA = 80%, but 90% is preferred

IOA= (smaller count/larger count) ×100

Observer A says 10 times

Observer B says 9 times

IOA = (9/10)*100 = 90%