Essay Sample on Behavior Change Strategies

Introduction

Behavioral change is important, particularly when dealing with undesirable traits or character. It is important to determine the terminal behavior desired in an individual before applying reinforcement. As such, reinforcement continues until the goals of achieving behavioral change succeed and plans put in place to maintain such behavior (Cooper, Heron, & Heward, 2014). It is important to identify the behavior that needs reinforcement in an individual. Behavioral change, as a result, plays an important role in the acquisition of desirable behavior.

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Determining the desired behavior is one of the strategies used in behavioral change. When the terminal behavior is determined, it is important to find the success criterion. As a result, the success criterion will shed more light on the period or frequency with which the behavior is shaped.

Another important strategy in behavioral change is the use of technology. Computers, in this case, can assist in shaping traits using applications. As such, the individuals obtain skills and training that lead to a change in behavior. Another strategy is the use of positive punishment. Such positive reinforcements are important in the process of guiding the learning process through simulations. Such punishments should be made the default technologies that use simulations in the process of behavioral change. The default technology will deal with the situations of behavioral change when other methods fail.

Programming common stimuli entail including features found in generalization settings to the instructional setting. Such stimuli help in ensuring that the behavior desired is inculcated in an individual or brought about through the procedural introduction of the stimuli to such a person. Another strategy is to use instructional settings that are analogous to that of the generalization settings. The placement of stimuli that a learner can encounter in the generalized settings is placed in the instructional setting. An instructional setting that is similar to the generalized environment raises the likelihood of successful behavioral change. The likelihood of a behavior being attained is determined by the similarity that the instructional setting has to that of the generalization setting. Computers can use different simulations even though sometimes other interventions can be used when such programs do not meet the intended purpose.

Any change proposed should proceed moderately through the different phases. The learners should not be hurried through the various change processes. As such, it is quite important to ensure that the reinforcement approximations are done through acceptable timings together with the use of effective methods. The changes should be carried out according to the progress the learner is making in comparison with the intended behavior. A limit on the approximations is important mainly regarding the various trials associated with them. Procedural safeguards and punishing policies will further help in dealing with the way practitioners handle individuals. Such policies will ensure that best practices are used in dealing with individual and their change of behavior. Such procedural safeguards are quite important in ensuring that all practices are done by standards set.

Therefore, behavioral change is a continual and gradual process that needs proper timing and strategies to ensure success. Such changes are quite important and should be directed by the practitioners using the required standards. Behavioral change requires effort and as such positive reinforcement or the use of technology in altering the behavior of an individual. The effective use of stimuli and reinforcement together with various tools like computers through applications greatly help in heightening the change of behavior.

References

Cooper, J. O., Heron, T. E., &Heward, W. L. (2014).Applied behavior analysis.Harlow: Pearson Education.