1. Principles of Behavior Change
Presented by:
The Center for Life Enrichment

2. Objectives Definition and recognition of behavior
5 motivating aspects of behavior
5 characteristics of reinforcement
3 primary behavior reduction techniques
6 characteristics of enhancing positive behavior by establishing behavioral momentum

3. What is Behavior? Anything an organism or living being does
Must be observable and measureable
Includes: Actions, verbalizations, manifestations of emotions and thoughts

4. Other Characteristics
Individualized – different people do different things
May be adaptive, inappropriate, disruptive and/or dangerous
May be socially acceptable or unacceptable
Must be operationally defined – Must have a reason

5. Functions of Behavior
Communication – some are intentional, others may be more subtle or subconscious
Gain positive reinforcers
Food, comfort, playing or doing something fun
Gain negative reinforcers
Pain, rejection, avoidance, undesired activities

6. Sources for determining functions of Behavior
Baseline data
Parents, service providers, staff
Medical evaluations, psychiatric and psychological evaluations
Environment
Individual Plan
Daily schedule or routine

7. Motivation of Behavior
Involuntary – reflex, neurological, medication side effects
Biological, psychiatric, medical condition
Learned/functional – Antecedents-Behavior-Consequences (ABC)
Environmental Triggers
Combinations of any or all of these can intensify behavioral responses

8. Behavior Change Cycle
Antecedent – the lead up; What is happening before the incident?
Behavior – the meltdown; What happened? What did they do?
Consequence – the aftermath; What happened as a result?

9. Reinforcement
Anything that increases the probability that a behavior will occur again

10. Factors to Consider Relative power – may be a power struggle
Person dependent – certain person could trigger behavior time and time again
Availability – opportunity presents itself
Situation dependent – certain situation could trigger behavior
Time dependent – certain time of day or month could trigger behavior
Equal to effort expected – efficiency and strength of reinforcer
Habituation and satiation – could be a habit or “need” of individual

11. Positive Reinforcement
Definition – shortly after the occurrence of the target behavior something is delivered (praise, attention, item, etc) which increases the chance that the behavior will occur again
Most likely to result in long-term behavior change

12. Positive Reinforcement
Elements of Effective Praise
Be sincere
Label what was good
Deliver where others can hear
Smile and use positive body language
Variety in reinforcement
Individualize your responses to fit what that person likes

13. Negative Reinforcement
Engaging in a target behavior results in escape or avoidance of an unwanted event (stimulation) that increases the chance that the target behavior will occur again
Contingent removal of an unwanted stimulus immediately following a behavioral response that increases the chance that the target behavior will occur again

14. Schedules of Reinforcement
Continuous
Reinforcement follows each acceptable response
Ratio – 1:1
When should you use this?
Intermittent
Reinforcement follows some, but not all, acceptable responses
Ratio – varies
When should you use this?

15. Differential Reinforcement Procedures
Differential Reinforcement of Other Behaviors (DRO)
Differential Reinforcement of Adaptive Behaviors (DRA)
Differential Reinforcement of Incompatible Behaviors (DRI)

16. Differential Reinforcement of Other Behaviors (DRO)
Delivering reinforcement when the target behavior is not displayed for a specified period of time. Reinforcement is contingent upon the absence of the target behavior
Difficult to implement correctly
Ex: Johnny will not yell for 10 minutes. Upon completion, he is positively reinforced with a desired activity

17. Differential Reinforcement of Adaptive Behavior (DRA)
Delivering reinforcement when a target, adaptive behavior is displayed during a specified period of time. Reinforcement is contingent upon the occurrence of the target behavior
Ex: Catch Johnny being good. When he has not had any incidents, yet completes the goal to not yell for 10 minutes. He is quiet for 10 minutes, then reinforced with praise and a desired activity

18. Differential Reinforcement of Incompatible Behavior (DRI)
Delivering reinforcement for a response that is topographically incompatible with a behavior targeted for reduction
Ex: Johnny hits people with things. Engage him in a musical therapy activity in which it is perfectly ok for him to hit instruments together

19. Behavior Reduction Strategies
Extinction
Redirection
Feedback

20. Extinction Ignoring a specific behavior
Ignore behavior, NOT THE PERSON
Extinction bursts
Dangers of inconsistency – no way for behavior to become extinct if all staff are not communicating and working as a TEAM

21. Redirection
Engaging an individual in a preferred activity that requires that person’s full attention; physically and mentally
Always redirect a person to a preferred activity that is incompatible with challenging behavior
Example: engages person’s hands if person is hitting
Redirection may be done verbally as well as non-verbally

22. Feedback
Reminders of positive outcomes if the individual engages in desired activity
Reminders of natural outcomes/consequences of challenging behavior
Reflection of feelings: “It makes me sad when you call me names.”
Reminders of skills or coping mechanisms that the individual possesses

23. Shape pro-social behavior
Behavioral Momentum
Shape pro-social behavior
Successive approximations
Start with reinforcing high probability behavior, then move to lower probability behavior
Re-frame the behavior to make it positive
Set the stage for success
Control antecedents
Restructure the environment
Avoid problem situations
Allow escape from triggers
Set a positive atmosphere
Allow time for success
Use appropriate approach/communication skills

24. Documentation/Data Collection
First step and key component to anything done in this field
If its not documented, … It didn’t happen
Keep detailed descriptions of all incidences, in chronological order
Turn into appropriate party within agency whenever necessary
Always be sure to follow all agency policies in dealing with any behavioral incident

25. Behavior Plan Process Data Collection
Team meets to decide if plan is necessary
BMP referral sent in requesting a plan to be formulated
Behavioral Consultant meets with team and participant
Plan constructed
Plan must be approved by agency Standing Committee
Must be signed by licensed professional, Standing Committee representative and individual (informed consent)

26. What is your role? Model appropriate behavior
Provide accurate feedback and encouragement
Consistently implement formal behavior plans
Provide opportunities for practice and generalization skills
Provide environments, activities, and expectations that are reasonable, functional, challenging, interesting and flexible
Listen and be aware of all that is going on around you

27. Resources
Alberto, P. & Troutman, A. (2002). Applied Behavior Analysis for Teachers. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, Prentice Hall.
Catania, C. (1992). Learning. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
Durand, V.M. (1991). Functional Communication Training. New York, NY: Guildford Press.
Feindler, E. And Ecton, R. (19880). Adolescent Anger Control; Cognitive Behavioral Techniques. Elmsford, New York: Pergamon Press, Inc.

28. Post Test
True or False
Staff should control as many aspects of consumers’ lives as possible, to prevent behavioral episodes
An antecedent occurs immediately before the behavior
A consequence is what happens immediately after the behavior
The function of the behavior refers to what the individual is trying to obtain by exhibiting the behavior
Staff are expected to model appropriate and acceptable behavior
An individual who behaves inappropriately, should receive harsh, realistic punishment for their actions, based on DDA regulations

29. Post Test Multiple Choice Reinforcement is:
A stimulus or event which happens before a behavior
A stimulus or event which happens after a behavior
A stimulus or event that is the event
Common functions of behavior are:
To communicate
To gain control
To gain sensory stimulation
All of the above
What must happen before a behavior plan can be implemented:
Randy must look at it and approve it
Participant’s dog must look at it and approve it
Staff must look at it and approve it
Standing committee must look at it and approve it

30. Post Test List 4 examples of potential positive reinforcers
List 4 examples of potential negative reinforcers