Behavior Modification

Paper Summary:

The paper defines behavior modification as rewarding students for changing their behavior in positive ways and punishing them when they revert to old, negative behaviors. The paper emphasizes the need for a level of specificity, predictability and timeliness of the reinforcement. The paper discusses how this system is particularly suitable for students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and attention deficit disorder. The paper points out, however, that although behavior modification can be effective if properly used, the student's entire neurological, psychological, and social makeup must be addressed in the ways that the rewards and punishments are administered.

From the Paper:

"The value or 'pros' of behavior modification is that it places a stress on observable and measurable behaviors, rather than vague statements like the student should show more respect to the teacher and to his or her peers (Mather & Goldstein, 2001). This has made behavior modification a useful strategy for teachers to use with special needs students, as the teacher can communicate more clearly to the student what is expected in the classroom. A specific, observable and measurable goal for a student with Attention-Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity might be that the child raises his or her hand every time he or she speaks up in class. If a student does not talk out of turn, or turns his or her homework in on time, or performs a specific behavioral goal a specific number of times, the student is rewarded with an equally specific reinforcement."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Mather, N. & Sam Goldstein. "Behavior Modification in the Classroom." LD Online.2001. [14 Apr 2007] http://www.ldonline.org/article/6030

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