Behavior modification

Behavior modification was a treatment approach that used respondent and operant conditioning to change behavior. Based on methodological behaviorism,^[1] overt behavior was modified with (antecedent) stimulus control and consequences, including positive and negative reinforcement contingencies to increase desirable behavior, as well as positive and negative punishment, and extinction to reduce problematic behavior.^[2][3][4]

Contemporary applications of behavior modification include applied behavior analysis (ABA), behavior therapy, exposure therapy, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Since the inception of behavior modification, significant and substantial advancements have been made to focus on the function of behavior, choice, cultural sensitivity, compassion, equity, and quality of life (QoL).^[5] Paradigm shifts have been made since the inception of behavior modification, and these changes are focused on the dignity of the individual receiving treatment,^[6] and found in today's graduate training programs.^[7]

The first use of the term behavior modification appears to have been by Edward Thorndike in 1911. His article Provisional Laws of Acquired Behavior or Learning makes frequent use of the term "modifying behavior".^[8] Through early research in the 1940s and the 1950s the term was used by Joseph Wolpe's research group.^[9] The experimental tradition in clinical psychology used it to refer to psycho-therapeutic techniques derived from empirical research.^[10] In the 1960s, behavior modification operated on stimulus-response-reinforcement framework (S-R-S^R), emphasizing the concept of 'transactional' explanations of behavior.^[11] It has since come to refer mainly to techniques for increasing adaptive behavior through reinforcement and decreasing maladaptive behavior through extinction or punishment (with emphasis on the former).

In recent years, the concept of punishment has had many critics, though these criticisms tend not to apply to negative punishment (time-outs) and usually apply to the addition of some aversive event. The use of positive punishment by board certified behavior analysts is restricted to extreme circumstances when all other forms of treatment have failed and when the behavior to be modified is a danger to the person or to others (see professional practice of behavior analysis). In clinical settings positive punishment is usually restricted to using a spray bottle filled with water as an aversive event. When misused, more aversive punishment can lead to affective (emotional) disorders, as well as to the receiver of the punishment increasingly trying to avoid the punishment (i.e., "not get caught")..

Behavior modification relies on the following:

• Reinforcement (positive and negative)
• Punishment (positive and negative)
• Extinction
• Shaping
• Fading
• Chaining

Functional behavior assessment forms the core of applied behavior analysis, and this technology was not part of behavior modification. A Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA) is a systematic process used to identify the underlying causes and functions of challenging behaviors. Unlike traditional behavior modification, which often focused solely on altering the behavior itself, FBA seeks to understand the reasons behind a behavior by examining the environmental, social, and psychological factors that contribute to it. The FBA process involves several steps: defining the problematic behavior in observable and measurable terms, collecting data through direct observation, interviews, and review of records, identifying patterns and triggers, hypothesizing the function of the behavior, and developing intervention strategies based on these hypotheses.

The importance of FBA lies in its comprehensive and individualized approach. By understanding the function of a behavior, interventions can be tailored to address the root cause rather than just the symptoms. This leads to more effective and lasting behavior change. For example, if a behavior is identified as a way for an individual to escape a difficult task, the intervention might include teaching more appropriate ways to request a break or modifying the task to make it more manageable. In contrast, traditional behavior modification might only attempt to suppress the escape behavior without addressing the underlying issue, which could lead to frustration and the emergence of other problematic behaviors.

Additionally, FBA emphasizes a positive and proactive approach, focusing on teaching alternative, contextually appropriate behaviors and modifying the environment to support these behaviors design to support QoL. This stands in contrast to the often punitive nature of previous behavior modification techniques. Overall, FBA represents a more humane and effective method for understanding and addressing challenging behaviors, leading to improved outcomes for individuals.

Behavior modification is critiqued in person-centered psychotherapeutic approaches such as Rogerian Counseling and Re-evaluation Counseling,^[26] which involve "connecting with the human qualities of the person to promote healing", while behaviorism is "denigrating to the human spirit".^[27] B.F. Skinner argues in Beyond Freedom and Dignity that unrestricted reinforcement is what led to the "feeling of freedom", thus removal of aversive events allows people to "feel freer".^[28] Further criticism extends to the presumption that behavior increases only when it is reinforced. This premise is at odds with research conducted by Albert Bandura at Stanford University. His findings indicate that violent behavior is imitated, without being reinforced, in studies conducted with children watching films showing various individuals "beating the daylights out of Bobo". Bandura believes that human personality and learning is the result of the interaction between environment, behavior and psychological process. There is evidence, however, that imitation is a class of behavior that can be learned just like anything else. Children have been shown to imitate behavior that they have never displayed before and are never reinforced for, after being taught to imitate in general.^[29]

Based on the early improper use of behavior modification techniques, substantial emphasis has been placed on the importance of ethics and licensure.^[30] Ethics is paramount because it ensures that practitioners prioritize the well-being, dignity, and rights of their clients. Given the vulnerable populations often served by ABA professionals, such as individuals with developmental disabilities, maintaining high ethical standards helps prevent exploitation, harm, and abuse. In today's era, The Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) Code of Ethics is a comprehensive framework that guides behavior analysts in their professional conduct. For instance, Code 1.04 emphasizes the importance of integrity, urging behavior analysts to be honest and truthful in their professional dealings. Code 2.01 mandates the prioritization of client dignity and welfare, ensuring that the client's needs come first. Code 2.06 requires informed consent, meaning clients must be fully aware of and agree to the interventions used. Confidentiality is protected under Code 2.07, which ensures that all client information is kept private and secure. Additionally, Code 3.01 stresses the necessity of providing evidence-based treatments, ensuring interventions are scientifically supported and effective. By adhering to these and other ethical guidelines, behavior analysts foster trust, promote positive outcomes, and uphold the integrity of the field.

• Behavior management
• Behavior therapy
• Covert conditioning
• Decoupling for body-focused repetitive behaviors
• Habit Reversal Training
• Pain model of behaviour management
• Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports
• Token economy