Behavior modification is a method of changing the way an individual reacts or acts by learning to attach consequences to their actions. It is challenging to change someone’s behavior, but they can still be motivated to change them by offering incentives to them or changing their environment.
Whether you want to quit smoking, commit to a fitness routine, or be more mindful of your emotions, behavior modification techniques can help. It also helps treat severe mental health disorders like irrational fears, ADHD, OCD, anxiety disorder, and substance abuse.
What’s Behavior Modification?
According to the definition of behavior modification in psychology, it is a method to modify human behavior by applying conditioning principles that use reinforcements, rewards, or punishments to establish desired patterns or habits.
BMT is a method to change negative and unwanted behavior by using negative or positive consequences. It allows an individual to learn the right responses for a certain event. The therapy behavior modification can enhance your healthy and positive behaviors.
This therapy has been proven to be successful in the treatment of the following:
- Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Autism
- Disruptive disorder
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Phobias
- Separation anxiety
Treatment Approaches
Therapists use multiple treatment methods and approach in the behavior modification technique. Some commonly used ones include:
- Positive Reinforcement
It associates a positive stimulus with positive behavior, for instance, giving rewards for good grades.
- Negative Reinforcement
It pairs the behavior with negative stimulus removal, for instance, a child throwing a tantrum as they don’t want to eat vegetables, and the plate is removed.
- Punishment
It aims to discourage negative behavior by pairing the behavior with an unpleasant stimulus. For instance, deducting salary for missed work.
- Flooding
It exposes individuals to fear-producing objects or situations rapidly and intensely, like an individual with a fear of snakes holding a snake for a few minutes.
- Systematic Desensitization
It helps treat phobias by helping an individual remain calm as they focus on their fears. For instance, an individual with a fear of bridges looks at the photos of bridges and imagines being on one.
- Aversion Therapy
It associates an unwanted behavior with an unpleasant stimulus to discourage that behavior. For instance, applying a substance on the nails to prevent nail biting.
- Extinction
It removes reinforcement that is linked to behavior. For instance, sending a kid to a time-out when they misbehave.
Get the Help You Need
Behavior modification therapy can teach you techniques for mental health disorders or unwanted negative behavior. Your therapist will conduct a thorough evaluation to determine the problems and work with your to modify your negative behaviors into positive ones.
