Welcome to Unit 8 Questions?

Getting started on Unit 8 Project This is the culmination of the entire course! Please review all materials so that you are prepared to: Produce a complete and comprehensive report that describes: Target behavior Functional Assessment Interventions Results

Important Considerations Use terminology from the course appropriately in ways that demonstrate your understanding of the course concepts and methodologies Focus on events (antecedents, behaviors, consequences, etc.) that are observable and measureable Refer to materials that detail the steps of a behavior change and functional assessment and be sure these are addressed in your project.

USING BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION TO HELP OTHERS CHANGE

Deciding When to Modify Behavior The 3 D’s Is the Behavior Disruptive? Is the Behavior Distressing? Is the Behavior Dangerous?

Important Questions to Ask Is the program for the benefit of the client? Will solving the problem increase quality of life for the client? Can the problem and the goals be adequately defined and measured? Could the problem have causes other than behavioral? Is there a support system in place for ‘running’ the program?

Steps of Behavior Change Identify the Behavior targeted for intervention Define the Behavior in terms that are observable and measurable Conduct the Functional Assessment Collect Baseline Data Choose Reinforcers and Schedules of Reinforcement Implement the Plan Collect Data and Adjust plan as necessary until desired change occurs

Some Common Tools for Behavior Change Reinforcement To build new behaviors To build replacement behaviors Extinction Removal of reinforcement that is supporting undesired behaviors Works best when paired with reinforcement for alternative behaviors Time Out From Reinforcement A form of Extinction Token Economy A formal approach to reinforcement that increases desired behavior by using ‘secondary’ reinforcers such as poker chips, stickers, points, etc. Tokens are earned for specific behaviors, saved up, and turned in for bigger, more meaningful rewards Through the process of Classical Conditioning (learning by association), the tokens, themselves, eventually become meaningful Behavioral Contracting Entering into a formal agreement defining expected behaviors and reinforcers / punishers

Areas of Clinical Behavior Therapy: Beyond the Behavior Program Therapies grounded in Behavior Modification have proven useful for many clinical disorders including: Anxiety Disorders OCD Exposure and Response Prevention Specific Phobias Systematic Desensitization Flooding PTSD Vicarious Exposure Addictions Motivational Interviewing Contingency Contracting Couple Distress Sexual Dysfunction Habit Disorders Habit Reversal Learning competing behaviors Eating Disorders Self Monitoring Behavioral Contracting

Other Theoretical and Clinical Approaches to Behavior Change Health Psychology literature is a great place to find theories and clinical approaches to behavior change These theories tend to be ‘behavioral’ in nature but also include focus on more theoretical, cognitive components such as ‘attitudes’, ‘beliefs’, ‘self-efficacy’, etc. Some links to get you started exploring : Behavior Change: 4 Major Theories CDC PHYSICAL ACTIVITY REPORT- CHAPTER 6

ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS When and how should behavior be controlled or modified? Who is qualified to do Behavior Modification? What types of procedures should be used? What safeguards need to be in place to protect clients? Ethical Guidelines: American Psychological Association: 2002 Ethics Code BEHAVIOR ANALYST CERTIFICATION BOARD® GUIDELINES FOR RESPONSIBLE CONDUCT For Behavior Analysts (August, 2004) These types of ‘codes’ establish uniform guidelines for members of the organization around qualifications, interactions with clients, disciplinary standards and procedures, etc.