Picture Applied Behavior Analysis

The aim of this paper is to give a summary of behaviorism theory. Classical and operant conditioning are discussed, as well as the strengths and limitation of using behaviorism as a learning theory. Four real life examples of behaviorism are also given.

Behaviorism is a theory that believes that a person’s immediate environment brings about changes in their behavior (Ormrod, 2014). In this theory, the way people learn and behave are explained in terms of how they responses to stimuli in their environment. Stimulus can either be a specific object or an event that is effecting a person’s learning or/and behavior. For example, a teacher has a picture of a clown in their classroom and one of their students is afraid of clowns. The picture

A strength of ABA is that it can improve academic performance and study habits. It also improves behaviors like attention, social skills, and cleanliness. ABA, if used effectively can also reduce undesirable behaviors such as hyperactivity, impulsivity, aggression, and violence. Applied behavior analysis is particularly beneficial to students who need to be constantly motivated to behave in appropriate academic and social manners (Ormrod, 1999).

Operant conditioning has the capacity to eliminate undesirable behaviors (Ormrod, 1999). There are three ways in which this can occur, by extinction, reinforcing other behaviors, or reinforcing incompatible behaviors. Extinction is about making sure that a particular response is no longer reinforced. The reinforcer (i.e. a teacher giving attention to their students) must not be completely eliminated, however, it can’t be dependent on the response if it is to be eliminated (can’t give immediate attention to the student who is constantly calling out in

She had a few behavior problems, one of which was crying when she felt like I wasn’t giving her enough of my attention. I dealt with that by giving her attention when she was behaving well. However, once she started throwing a tantrum, I would turn my full attention to her brother and would only turn my attention back to her once she calmed down. She eventually learned that crying would do the opposite of what she desired.

I have also used behaviorism on myself. I’ve used reinforcers (sometimes they are intrinsic) in order to get myself to accomplish tasks that I didn’t want to do, such as write papers or clean the bathroom.

When I was a campus supervisor as Las Posas elementary, there was a first grade boy, Herby, who would shout everything that he wanted to say. He was short for his age but could be very aggressive. In his classroom, his teacher had posted ways in which it is socially appropriate to talk to someone. She listed looking the person in the eye, speaking in a clear voice and using a volume that was appropriate for the setting. The teacher could reinforce some of these behaviors with Herby by praising him each time he spoke at a normal level when answering a question or speaking to a