Behavior Modification Research Paper

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This research paper will focus on the use of positive and negative reinforcement on a variety of target behaviors. Behavior modification is the altering of a specific behavioral pattern using learning technique as biofeedback and negative or positive reinforcement. Behavior modification is also an approach of treatment that is based upon the principles of operant conditioning, which replaces an undesirable behavior with a desirable behavior through the use of negative or positive reinforcement. Reinforcements were first studied by B. F. Skinner with the use of reinforcements as a strengthening for a specific behavior directly connected to a stimulus. He also used reinforcements as an important part of an operant or an instrumental conditioning. …show more content…
F. Skinner and Edward Thorndike were the two significant theorists of the operant conditioning process, and their studies are the baseline for today’s studies about behavior modification. Their animal research studies can be transferred to the development and the conclusion about the modification of human behavior. Thorndike is notable for his study, the puzzle box experiment, in which he conducted by placing a hungry cat in a box and recording how long it would take for the cat to escape by moving a barrier. Thorndike placed a piece of meat on the outside of the box for an incentive for the cat to learn to escape the box. Using trial and error, the cat discovered the solution to open the box, escape and finally to get to the meat. In this case, the meat was the reinforcement for the cat to get out of the box, which Thorndike repeated the trial and recorded the time. Thorndike noticed that it took the cat less times each time he recorded the trial showing that the cat had the ability to learn a task and perform it faster when there was a reinforcement as opposed to when there was no reinforcement. Therefore, the learning and the accomplishment of a new task will result in a desirable behavior if there is a desirable reward (Kazind, 1989). The study of the puzzle box formed the foundation on operant conditioning, it proved by manipulating the use of a reinforcements there is a controlling of the rate that a participant can complete a task, and this study can be transferred in explaining the modification of the human behavior. For instance, a child is more likely to complete any task if there is a reward after the task, which will cause them to quickly finish the task to obtain a desired reward. In another study, A. Robert Sherman, hypothesized that one’s behavior will increase if it is followed by a reward and will decrease if the behavior is followed by punishment (Sherman, 1973). Sherman’s study used the environment of a elementary classroom to
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