Behavior Modification Treatments

Behavior modification treatments involve the assessment, interception, and redirection of behavior considered favorable and positive, while at the same time reducing negative behavior or otherwise antisocial behavior. Although not an exhaustive list, types of behavioral modification treatment may include reinforcement of alternative behaviors, positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, classical conditioning, and contingency management.

Reinforcement of Alternative Behaviors

• Reinforcing alternative behaviors is a treatment attempting to modify a patient's behavioral pattern through redirecting attention to alternative forms of expression. Usually, positive reinforcement treatment is utilized to encourage a change in a patient's behavior; however, punishment reinforcement strategies may be implemented if the patient becomes a danger to themselves are others.

Positive Reinforcement

• Positive reinforcement strategies attempt to modify behavior using a reward system: a compliment, approval, or relevant gifts (not bribing). Positive behavior is defined as behavior following a consequence resulting in emotional well-being, improvement of social skills, and a harmonious co-existence with society's rules and expectations.

Negative Reinforcement

• Negative reinforcement strategies as a behavior modification treatment program may include time-outs, shame tactics, withholding relevant gifts, prolonged stern eye contact, and even incapacitation. Negative reinforcement is controversial both in terms of utilizing the tactics themselves and doubts about its overall effectiveness. For example, although shame in "mild doses" as a form of punishment for modifying behavior may show positive changes in behavior, excessive amounts may actually produce negative behavioral patterns and cause permanent psychological consequences.

Classical Conditioning

• Classical conditioning as a behavior modification treatment strategy involves pairing a patient's adverse behavior with an overt external stimulus. The result ideally redirects a patient's behavior by associating the behavior with the external event; for example, bad behavior results in an immediate stern reprimand, as opposed to a good behavior, which results in sudden praise.

Contingency Management

• Contingency management involves micromanaging a patient's behaviors by means of systematically implementing various combinations of behavioral modification treatments; for example: positive reinforcement strategies combined with limited punishment strategies. Contingency management is often used in more extreme cases with patients dealing with behavioral problems, for instance, patients suffering form substance abuse and more severe cases of mental disability.