Behavior Modification Focuses On Evaluating And Covert Behaviors

The behavioral modification theories can also be applied to help initiate a change from unsafe to a safe behavior in the following

Behavior Modification, a psychological theory of human behavior. It evolved from the application of experimentally derived principles of learning to the modification of problem behaviors. The theory is based on a psychological model of human behavior that rejects the psychoanalytic or quasi-disease model of mental illness. Approaches to behavior modification assume that abnormal behavior is acquired and maintained in the same manner as normal behavior and can be changed directly through the application of social-learning principles. Assessment procedures focus on describing how an individual behaves, thinks, and feels in specific situations. Treatment methods are derived from the theories and findings of

Nervous habits also identified as body focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs) are behaviors that occur repeatedly across situations and consist of undesired repetitive, manipulative, problematic and or destructive behaviors directed toward the body such as hand-to-head (e.g., hair pulling, hair twirling), hand-to-mouth (e.g., nail biting, thumb sucking), hand-to-body (e.g., skin picking, skin scratching), and oral behaviors (e.g., teeth grinding, mouth biting) and are often seen to play a role in emotion regulation and can arise during periods of heightened tension (Miltenberger,2005 ; Roberts, O’Connor, Bélanger, 2013; Woods & Miltenberger, 1995). The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition, does

Its application to the treatment of mental problems is known as behaviour modification. Learning is seen as behaviour change moulded by experience; it is accomplished largely through either classical or operant conditioning.

Like anything else Behavior Therapy does have its strengths and weakness. One of it strength is the ownership the client is given, at the onset of therapy goals are established and clients are encourage to be active in the therapeutic process, by developing a plan of action. This allows the clients to have a vested interest in deciding with the goals of their therapy will be. (Corey, 2013, p. 278). Behavioral therapy is also one of the few therapies that place an emphasis on research, this has made the behavior therapy method one of the most effective in the treatment of a number of behavioral illness. Because research is consider to be a basic aspect of this approach and therapeutic techniques are continually refined (Corey, 2013, p. 277) cognitive behavioral procedures are currently the best treatment strategies available for depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, social phobia and eating disorders (Corey, 2013, pp. 278-279).

One strategy employed by health educators is behavior modification. Behavior modification employs strategies and techniques to decrease the instance of negative habits or facilitate the frequency of beneficial actions. Behavior modification has been proven successful in improving patient adherence to preventive and therapeutic regimens, avoiding treatment delays, altering risk-taking behavior, and enabling lifestyle change.

The key concepts of behavior therapy are that it “is grounded on a scientific view of human behavior that accommodates a systematic and structured approach to counseling” (Corey, 2013, p. 250). The attention is focused on the behavior of the person. Behavior therapy is about giving control to the client to expand their freedom. “People have the capacity to choose how they will respond to external events in their environment” (Corey, 2013, p. 250).

A behavior modification program is necessary for the 52 year old overweight man. Not following the behavior modification plan can cause both short term and long term problems for him. The short term consequences would be that Stan will lose his primary physician of 15 years and increase in clothing size which will result in purchasing a new wardrobe to fit comfortably in his clothes. Long term consequences include heart problems, obesity, daily problems with blood sugar and the increased likelihood of a stroke or even death.

The key concepts of a cognitive behavioral approach have been broken down into a four-stage process. According to Corey (2016), “the specific unique characteristics of behavior therapy include conducting a behavioral assessment, precisely spelling out collaborative treatment goals, formulating a specific treatment procedure appropriate to a particular problem, and objectively evaluating the outcomes of therapy” (p. 349). The behavioral assessment is aimed at gathering as much detailed information about the client’s problem. This part of the process will also focus on the client’s current functioning and life conditions and taking samples of his or her behaviors to provide information about how the client typically functions in various situations. Lastly, the behavioral assessment is narrowly focused and integrated with therapy.

In this study, Zachor, Ben-Itzchak, and rabinovich (2007) determine the difference in effect of eclectic interventions compared to Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) on autism core symptoms. Their study aimed to answer the following questions: “How do symptoms in the major autism domains change with treatment? Are there specific manifestations in autism that improve with any type of intervention or only with a specific intervention approach?” (Zachor et al., 2007, p. 307).

Behavior therapy focuses particularly on behavior and changing certain self-destructive behaviors. This therapeutic approach assumes that by changing certain behaviors, clients can also begin to change how they are feeling. An advantage of this therapy is how it includes a wide variety of behavioral techniques that can be applied (Corey 2013). This form of therapy stresses doing and so counselors can use many behavioral strategies to help clients in developing a plan of action for changing certain behaviors. The techniques in this approach have been extended to more areas of human functioning than has any other therapeutic approach. It has made contributions to both the medical field and health psychology (Corey 2013). Behavior therapy has been exposed to a great deal of empirical research. Interventions have been under more evaluation than those of any other form of treatment assuring that clients are obtaining both

· Behavior Modification- All behavior therapy attempts to modify behavior but there is also a specific process called behavior modification. This can be used to either increase or decrease a behavior. In this technique, one begins by defining and counting the occurrences of an undesirable behavior the patient would like to decrease, such as biting one's nails, or a desired

- Moving home , children will show inappropriate behaviour if they move home, because they have

As a manager myself I used various forms of strategies to motivate employees and to keep morale up. In the field of human services it is very easy to overexert yourself and employees and the maintaining motivation for employees can be challenging. The strategy I commonly follow is the behavior modification method, this is defined as “changing behavior and encouraging appropriate actions by relating the consequences of behavior to the behavior itself” (Ferrell, Hirt, & Ferrell, 2009). I have found this method to be effective, however this method has come with the noted side effect of high turnover and some employee dissatisfaction. Although we have these side effects I stand by this method given the level of work that we do. When assisting people

One of the problems I have always had as a student was procrastinating. I have recognized that it was an issue before, but I never decided to do anything about it. For my behavior modification project my goal was to reduce procrastination. I chose this behavior because I wanted to make my assignments easier. I figured if I stopped starting my schoolwork at the last minute my work would be less difficult, and maybe my grades would be better. I was really hoping that this self-modification project can make me a new and improved student. To collect my data over the two-week period I used a journal. The first week was baseline data, and the second week was treatment data. In my journal I wrote down each time I started doing an assignment, and put the name of the assignment along with the date it was due next to it. Below the next section I included a chart summarizing the data I recorded in my journal.