Using The Behavioral Approach

Define and contrast the three types of

behavioral learning theories (contiguity,
classical conditioning, and operant
conditioning), giving examples of how each
can be used in the classroom.

Developed by W. Huitt & J. Hummel (1999)

Behavior Modification Techniques

There are five categories of activities that can be
addressed with behavior modification
techniques:
Develop a new behavior
Strengthen a behavior
Maintain an established behavior
Stop inappropriate behavior
Modify emotional behavior
Adapted from: Krumboltz, J., & Krumboltz, H. (1972). Changing children's
behavior. New York: Prentice-Hall.

Behavior Modification Techniques

Develop a new behavior

Successive
Approximatio
n Principle

To teach a child to act in a

manner in which he has
seldom or never before
behaved, reward
successive steps to the
final behavior (also called
shaping).

Behavior Modification Techniques

Develop a new behavior

Continuous
Reinforcement
Principle

To develop a new
behavior that the child
has not previously
exhibited, arrange for an
immediate reward after
each correct
performance.

Behavior Modification Techniques

Develop a new behavior

Negative
Reinforcement
Principle

To increase a child's
performance in a particular
way, arrange for him to
avoid or escape a mild
aversive situation by
improving his behavior or by
allowing him to avoid the
aversive situation by
behaving appropriately.

Behavior Modification Techniques

Develop a new behavior

Cueing
Principle

To teach a child to
remember to act at a
specific time, arrange for
him to receive a cue for
the correct performance
just before the action is
expected rather than after
he has performed it
incorrectly.

Behavior Modification Techniques

Strengthen a new behavior

Decreasing
Reinforceme
nt Principle

To encourage a child to
continue performing an
established behavior with
few or no rewards,
gradually require a longer
time period or more
correct responses before a
correct behavior is
rewarded.

Behavior Modification Techniques

Strengthen a new behavior

Variable
Reinforceme
nt Principle

To improve or increase a
child's performance of a
certain activity, provide
the child with an
intermittent reward.

Behavior Modification Techniques

Maintain an established behavior

Substitution
Principle

To change reinforcers
when a previously effective
reward is no longer
controlling behavior,
present it just before (or as
soon as possible to) the
time you present the new,
hopefully more effective
reward.

Behavior Modification Techniques

Stop an inappropriate behavior

Satiation
Principle

To stop a child from acting

in a particular way, you
may allow him to continue
(or insist that he continue)
performing the undesired
act until he tires of it.

Behavior Modification Techniques

Stop an inappropriate behavior

Extinction
Principle

To stop a child from acting

in a particular way, you
may arrange conditions so
that he receives no
rewards following the
undesired act.

Behavior Modification Techniques

Stop an inappropriate behavior

Incompatible
Alternative
Principle

To stop a child from acting

in a particular way, you
may reward an alternative
action that is inconsistent
with or cannot be
performed at the same
time as the undesired act.

Behavior Modification Techniques

Stop an inappropriate behavior

Response
Cost
Principle

To stop a child from acting

in a certain way, remove a
pleasant stimulus
immediately after the action
occurs. Since response cost
results in increased hostility
and aggression, it should
only be used infrequently
and in conjunction with
reinforcement.

Behavior Modification Techniques

Modify emotional behavior

Avoidance
Principle

To teach a child to avoid a

certain type of situation,
simultaneously present to
the child the situation to
be avoided (or some
representation of it) and
some aversive condition (or
its representation).

Behavior Modification Techniques

Modify emotional behavior

Fear
Reduction
Principle

To help a child overcome his

fear of a particular
situation, gradually increase
his exposure to the feared
situation while he is
otherwise comfortable,
relaxed, secure or rewarded.