Behavior Modification

Dr. Travis Langley

Overview:

This course is designed to examine the nature of behavior modification, including specific techniques for how it is done. Operant conditioning procedures will be emphasized.

Required Textbooks:

Martin, G., & Pear, J. Behavior Modification: What It Is And How To Do It.

Malott, R. W., Whaley, D. L., & Malott, M. E. Elementary Principles of Behavior.

Grading:

55% Quizzes

25% Behavior Modification Project

20% Participation

There will be no makeup tests. Two quiz scores will be dropped in figuring the overall course grade. If you miss one or two quizzes and have an excused absence, those scores can be dropped. If you do not miss any, your two lowest scores will be dropped. The final will weigh the same as two quizzes in figuring your grade.

Participation will be based more on what you actually do to contribute to class discussion than on just occupying a seat. But if you're not here, you can't participate.

Bring #2 pencils for each quiz. ERASE THOROUGHLY. You are responsible for erasing errors carefully enough. If an answer is marked wrong due to an incomplete erasure, it is simply wrong. We will not reinforce sloppy test taking.

Reading:

Quiz 1: Malott chapters 1, 2, 21; Martin chapters 1-3, 15

Quiz 2: Malott chapters 3-5; Martin chapters 13-14

Quiz 3: Malott chapters 6-8; Martin chapter 5

Quiz 4: Malott chapters 9-11

Quiz 5: Malott chapters 17-18; Martin chapters 6-7

In reading the material, make certain you know ALL TERMS that appear in the assigned readings for BOTH books. People who actually read the chapters will (1) remember those terms better, (2) understand them much better, and (3) have more to contribute to class discussion.

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Behavior Modification Project

During the term, you will conduct a behavior modification project in which you modify behavior in yourself, your child, or your pet. Friends and relatives generally should not be the subjects of these projects -- exceptions to this are possible if they really want to participate, but discuss this with the professor thoroughly in advance. Strangers and enemies may not be the subjects (even though they're some of the people whose behavior you'd most like to modify).

1. Identify the behavior to be modified.

2. Measure its baseline frequency, and identify the reinforcers that keep it going.

3. Consider possible behavior modification techniques and choose the one most appropriate to the behavior in question.

4. Begin behavior modification procedure.

5. Continue recording frequency.

6. Evaluate progress after three weeks. If none, examine reasons why and discuss possible change in procedure.

7. At end of project, evaluate success.

8. Write up project and turn it in.