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Case 1: Bobby
Select and identify a
target behavior for an increase in this
case and provide an operational definition[CJ1]
Bobby’s
bedroom is always in a mess and disorganized. Bobby’s father would like to
devise a way in which he can encourage Bobby to keep his room in an organized
manner regularly. I will identify target
behavior and recommend a modification program which may commence his father’s wish[CJ2] .
Bobby’s behavior causes stress to the father and wishes to change this as soon as possible. The modification that I
will design is using Operant conditioning, which may result in a positive improvement in Bobby’s behavior that his father desires (William L
Heward, 2011).
[CJ3]
Identify and discuss the
reinforcement system at work that is supporting the undesired target behavior.
Define operant conditioning and discuss how this method works to increase
desired behavior.
In
most cases, analysts will use a continuous reinforcement in their first period
of behavior modification. Positive reinforcement results when the desired response occurs after specific stimuli is introduced. These[CJ4]
may include the motivational level of the
individual participants and being age conscious of reinforces. An example of an
inappropriate reinforcement is giving a baby rattle to a teenage like Bobby as
a reward (William L Heward, 2011).[CJ5]
Operant
conditioning can be defined as the process and selective effects of
consequences on behavior. This method
helps to increase the desired behavior which may trigger a positive change[CJ6] .
An example in Bobby’s case is to clean his room to space for his new game (William L
Heward, 2011).[CJ7]
Select and outline a
reinforcement-based intervention for this case and include your rationale for
selection. Be sure to include a definition of positive reinforcement and
operant conditioning in your discussion.
A schedule of reinforcement can be
defined as a rule that describes a contingency of reinforcement, those
environmental arrangements that determine conditions by which behaviors will produce
reinforcement. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of two
possible schedules of reinforcements along with their case implementation:
Fixed
Schedule – in this reinforcement technique, the time requirement will always
remain constants or the same. This reinforcement would be used to attain the
desired behavior, for Bobby’s case, I would implement this by telling him that
for each night his room is clean he will get $5.00. Advantages of this process
are that it maximizes the delivery rate and it can produce faster rates of the
desired behavior. While the disadvantages, if the ratio requirement becomes
large then it rates of response may
reduce and may result to post-reinforcement pause (Alberto,
2013).
Variable
Schedule – this requires a different and
undisclosed number of responses before the participant receives the desired
reinforcement. This case would also be used to attain the desired behavior, For
Bobby’s case, I would implement by telling Bobby that he if he occasionally
cleaned his room he would get $20.00 to
go to the mall. Advantages of this process are that it produces a steady rate
of response and doesn’t result to post-reinforcement pause. Its advantages are
that it is rarely implemented with any type of systematic approach (William L
Heward, 2011).[CJ8]
Case 2: Jackie
Identify the target
behavior and provide an operational definition.
Jackie
started fearing dogs at the age of 3 after being bitten by a dog; the injury
also came with several stitches. It has now over twenty years since the
incident and Jackie recalls the event in full detail. The distress caused by
this event has caused her not to be able to be around or even see dogs. If such
a scenario occurs, it causes here to have heart palpitations and nausea. Since
the event, she has avoided dogs but now
she yet to marry a breeder[CJ9] .
She is now seeking assistance before her marriage which is in 6 months (Alberto,
2013).[CJ10]
Both classical and
operant conditioning account for Jackie developing this phobia. Pick one and
use it to explain why Jackie has remained fearful of dogs.
In
a situation where ABA professionals try
to change socially significant behavior that is causing distress to their
client’s life, they use specific
principles. There are several theories that can be used but one specific theory
that can be used in Jackie’s case is due to negative reinforcement. Negative
reinforcement can be described as the removal or termination of specific stimulus
that leads to a specific response[CJ11] . This can be used to change what one
may consider undesirable behavior (William L Heward, 2011).[CJ12]
What evidence-based
behavior modification program can be designed for Jackie so that she does not
experience fear when seeing dogs? What is your rationale for selection?
Applied behavioral
analysts use continuous reinforcement during the initial stages of learning and
for strengthening behavior. One of the most particular modifications that I would use to help Jackie is classical
conditioning.
This
principle is mostly used to deal with fears and phobias. I would implement this
theory by asking Jackie to meet with a dog and offer it a steak bone and in return, the dog will lick Jackie[CJ13] . This will be the routine at least
three times a week until the dog becomes familiar with Jackie. And with time,
the dog will show Jackie that they are not all going to cause injury (William L
Heward, 2011).[CJ14]
Case 3: Emma
Identify the target
behavior and provide an operational definition.
Emma
is a 4-year-old who refuses to clean the room despite the rewards offered and time
out. When it comes to cleaning time, Emma shows anger, which includes yelling,
screaming and throwing around her toys. In different scenarios, the parents
have always picked up during[CJ15] outbursts and resulted to them
cleaning the room themselves instead (Austin, 2010).[CJ16]
Discuss the principles
of operant conditioning that may be maintaining Emma's current challenging
behavior.
Emma’s
exhibit of her outbursts and tantrum can be explained by the underlying
principle of operant conditioning that her parents will always pick her up and
clean the room themselves[CJ17] . This shows Emma that despite her
behavior her parents will always reward her with love and won’t have to clean
the room because her parents will always end up doing it (William L
Heward, 2011).[CJ18]
Describe how you could
apply operant conditioning theory to create an evidence-based behavior modification
to address Emma's behavior. Outline all components of the procedure selected
and be sure to provide the rationale for its selection based on the information
provided in #2
In
this case, I would also use the Operant conditioning theory to create a
modification program which will change Emma’s behavior. This would result in her parents changing their action of picking
her up and cleaning the room by themselves[CJ19] . An example would be to tell her
that it is okay and she will only be picked up when her room is clean or also
praise her on every step in cleaning her room (William L Heward, 2011).[CJ20]
Conclusion
After
reviewing the three cases, we see that we can use different procedures in
applied behavior analysis to address human behavior. Some can be valuable
modification techniques. Operant conditioning and classical conditioning are
the behavior modification procedures that I choose to implement for these
cases, refusal to clean a room on a regular basis, fearing dogs and throwing
temper tantrums when asked to clean a room. The above procedures would also be
used to improve individual behavior as compared to those of group setting.
References
Alberto, A. C.
(2013). Applied behavior analysis. New York: Wiley.
Austin, J.
(2010). Applied behavior analysis. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Cooper, J. O., Heron,
T. E., Heward, W. L. (2007). Applied Behavior Analysis (2nd edition). New
Jersey: The Lehigh Press, Inc.
William L
Heward, J. O. (2011). Applied behavior analysis. Harlow: Prentice
Hall.
[CJ1]Remember
that assignments should be written in APA format rather than question and
answer format.
[CJ2]So
what is the target behavior? How is it defined?
[CJ3]Incorrect
citation.
[CJ4]So
what is the reinforcement system at work that is maintaining Bobby’s behavior?
This should be considered in terms of reinforcement or punishment.
[CJ5]Incorrect
citation.
[CJ6]This
is true, but also very vague and does not fully describe what operant
conditioning is. The following example of Bobby is not an example of operant
conditioning.
[CJ7]Incorrect
citation.
[CJ8]While
this is true about schedules of reinforcement, there is no discussion of what
positive reinforcement is and a description of how to implement positive
reinforcement with Bobby with a rationale.
[CJ9]What
is the target behavior and target behavior definition? That is not described
here.
[CJ10]Incorrect
citation.
[CJ11]How
is this done with Jackie? Would you say operant or classical conditioning is
happening here and why?
[CJ12]Incorrect
citation and untrue information here.
[CJ13]How
is this related to classical conditioning? I don’t think it is. There are other
behavioral procedures, however that could be helpful.
[CJ14]Incorrect
citation.
[CJ15]It
would be important here to include the target behavior and operational
definition.
[CJ16]Incorrect
citation.
[CJ17]While
operant conditioning is occurring, it is important here to be more specific
about which operant conditioning procedure is occurring.
[CJ18]Incorrect
citation.
[CJ19]Great!
What would this program look like? What behavioral procedures would be
implemented?
[CJ20]Incorrect
citation.
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