Operant Conditioning and Behavior Modification Term Paper

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In using operant conditioning to modify temper tantrums, the most effective and efficient method uses a system of positive reinforcement that rewards a child for reacting to a situation in a manner other than a tantrum, and a negative reinforcement that involve taking away something a child if the child throws a tantrum. When the child is presented with a situation that usually would result in a tantrum, the ideal response is to face it calmly. If the child behaves in this manner, positive reinforcement is used, and the child is rewarded. This reward could take the form of a sticker, a toy, a privilege, or another small but tangible reward. if, however, the child responds to the situation by throwing a tantrum, negative reinforcement is applied. The child is removed from the situation and something similar to that mentioned above is taken away. The key to the success of this conditioning is to reinforce the child step-by-step. Rather than requiring a total change in behavior immediately, the child should revive positive reinforcement for behaving in a manner that approaches the desired behavior. For example, if, when presented with a difficult situation, the child cries, but does not kick and scream, the child should receive the positive reinforcement. Such behavior is closer to the desired result, and thus should be rewarded.

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The caregiver should be consistent in seeing that an undesirable behavior is never reinforced, however they should also employ a random reinforcement scale for positive behaviors. Skinner found that individual responded best when they were not sure when positive reinforcement would be used (Skinner, 1953). Because of this, the child should not receive positive reinforcement for good behavior every time they demonstrate it. Rather, the caregiver should present this reinforcement on a random schedule such that the child knows that positive behavior will be reinforced, but not when it will be, and has additional incentive to display the desired behavior.

Operant conditioning is highly effective in humans because it is a gradual processes. Individuals receive consequences at each step of the conditioning, gradually reinforcing or punishing until the desired outcome occurs. In the case of children, such conditioning allows the child to accomplish achievable goals slowly, rather than facing incredibly difficult tasks as a whole. Only positive and negative reinforcement should be used, removing the potential for abuse that both types of punishment can entail. In addition, caregivers must remember to be consistent in never reinforcing undesirable behavior. Employing these methods, it is easily possible to use operant conditioning as a form of behavior modification for temper tantrums.

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