Daily Archives: 2020-04-01

The Principles of Behavior Modification #3 Punishment

By 양미린 Mirin Yang, MA

Punishment is one of the basic elements of ‘behavioral modification’.

 

 

Unlike reinforcement, ‘punishment’ is when an immediate consequence is given to decrease the frequency of certain behavior. The consequence refers to the application of aversive or unpleasant stimulus or removal of a reinforcer.

 

 

 

Punishment occurs in our daily lives. Not only disciplines from guardians or parents are regarded as punishment but experience of any aversive stimulus can also function as punishment. Examples of punishment include burning oneself from boiling kettle or pricking one’s finger on a sharp edge.

 

 

 

Punishment is a ‘very last measure’ that is applied when there is no progress in positive reinforcement or negative reinforcement to eliminate a target behavior. Adult clients can agree to the application of punishment in their treatment, while in the case of young children, parents’ or guardians’ agreement is required. After the client signs a psychological service agreement, clinicians gather data about a child’s behavioral issues and reinforcers one responds via functional assessment. Finally, a treatment method is chosen, considering the safety of the child and the severity of the child’s behavioral issues.

 

 

 

The Tree Group prepares a specific treatment plan for every individual client. All the clinicians of the Tree Group are thoroughly trained and supervised in advance of any clinical practice. Please refer to the following page for further details of the program: https://thetreeg.com/en/ips/

The Principles of Behavior Modification #2 Extinction

By 양미린 Mirin Yang, MA

Extinction is one of the basic elements in behavior modification.

 

 

In behavioral modification, ‘extinction’ systematically reduces previously reinforced behavior by taking away the reinforcers or stimuli for that behavior, ultimately aiming to eliminate the behavior. In the process of extinction, an ‘extinction burst’ may occur. It is a temporary increase in the frequency, duration, and magnitude of a targeted behavior and it usually happens during the initial phase of the extinction process.

 

 

 

 

An example of ‘extinction burst’ can be seen from a child who threw a tantrum to let one’s parents buy them a toy no longer receives the toy even when he tantrums. To get the toy from the parents, the child will throw tantrum for a longer period (increase in duration) or burst out crying (increase in magnitude). The parents may get an impression that the child’s undesirable behavior has worsened, however, it is a natural phenomenon that happens in the process of extinction as the reinforcers are eliminated. Meanwhile, the parents should be aware not to provide the reinforcers (e.g. buying a toy to stop the child’s intensified temper tantrum) because it may lead to an ‘intermittent reinforcement’ which may rather strengthen the targeted behavior in the extinction process.

 

 

 

 

The Tree Group uses various behavioral therapeutic techniques including extinction to effectively improve symptoms of ASD, ADHD, aggression, and emotional dysregulation in many psychiatric disorders. The Tree Group’s Behavior Modification Program is performed by behavior modification experts based on the latest academic literature in psychology. Please refer to the following page for further details of the program: https://thetreeg.com/en/ips/