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7: Applications of Operant Conditioning

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    Chapter Overview

    In Chapter 6 we discussed operant conditioning from the perspective of pure/basic science. In Chapter 7 we will now turn our attention to the applied side of operant conditioning — applied behavior analysis. We will tackle the issue of behavioral change by stating why we might be willing to change, define the behavior to be changed, talk about setting goals, discuss how we would conduct a functional assessment to identify the ABCs of behavior, arrange strategies into a plan, implement the plan, and then evaluate its effectiveness. Once we have met our final goal, we move into the maintenance phase. Issues related to relapse are discussed briefly.

    Content Links to: PSYCH 328: Self-Control at Washington State University which covers behavior modification. Be advised that this is a snapshot of the course and not the whole course.

    The material is also derived from my textbook/OER, Principles of Behavior Analysis and Modification (4th edition; Daffin, 2021, first published 2017). The full text can be accessed by clicking here(opens in new tab).

    Chapter Learning Objectives
    • Describe self-regulation and self-control and state their importance for behavioral change.
    • Clarify stages people go through when deciding to bring about behavior change.
    • Clarify the role of self-efficacy in behavior change.
    • Clarify what a behavioral definition is and why it is important to applied behavior analysts.
    • State the importance of setting clear goals in terms of what behavior you want to change.
    • Describe the who, what, when, where, and why of recording and data collection.
    • Clarify what is learned through a functional assessment and describe how to conduct one.
    • Clarify the importance of the baseline phase.
    • Identify strategies to help bring about change.
    • Discuss the importance of the treatment phase in a behavior modification plan.
    • Discuss why you need to evaluate and adjust your plan.
    • State the importance of the maintenance phase.
    • Explain the concept of relapse.

    • 7.1: Overview of the Process of Change
      This page distinguishes between self-regulation and self-control, defining self-regulation as modifying actions based on feedback and managing thoughts and feelings over time, while self-control focuses on resisting temptations. It presents a structured process for behavior change, which involves identifying target behaviors, assessing self-efficacy, and selecting strategies, culminating in implementation and maintenance phases.
    • 7.2: A Willingness to Change
      This page discusses behavior change stages proposed by Prochaska et al. (1995), highlighting the role of self-efficacy in progressing through these phases: precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance, and termination. It also addresses the critical roles of sleep and water intake in weight loss, noting the common challenge of hitting a plateau. Continuous motivation is stressed as essential for maintaining commitment and achieving lasting lifestyle changes.
    • 7.3: Defining the Behavior and Goal Setting
      This page covers behavioral definitions and goal setting in behavior modification, stressing the need for precise, objective behavior descriptions for measurement. It highlights the roles of distal and proximal goals, their complexities, and the necessity for commitment. The use of subgoals is recommended for achieving larger objectives, along with criteria for transitioning between goals based on behavioral achievements and individual circumstances.
    • 7.4: The ABCs of Behavior and Functional Assessment
      This page covers self-monitoring and data collection in behavior modification, explaining the importance of observation periods, tools like the ABC chart, and functional assessment. It highlights the baseline phase for understanding behaviors and the challenges posed by temptations.
    • 7.5: Strategies to Bring about Motivated Change
      This page outlines key strategies for modifying behavior and cognitions, highlighting the role of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in restructuring maladaptive thoughts and employing self-reinforcement techniques. It emphasizes the importance of environmental factors and consequence-focused approaches, such as token economies, while also pointing out the need for clear rules and accountability in behavior modification plans.
    • 7.6: Implementing the Plan
      This page discusses the treatment phase of behavior modification, highlighting the use of antecedent, behavior, and consequence strategies as independent variables. It stresses the importance of deliberately manipulating these strategies and measuring the resulting changes in behavior as dependent variables, underscoring the significance of both manipulation and measurement in achieving behavior modification goals.
    • 7.7: Evaluating the Plan’s Success
      This page emphasizes the significance of assessing and modifying behavior modification plans using data. It highlights the need to pinpoint challenges tied to antecedents, behaviors, and consequences that impede progress. Key factors affecting success include unrealistic goals and insufficient support. Once adjustments are recognized, they should be executed with continuous evaluation. If the plan succeeds, attention should then shift towards sustaining the desired behavior change.
    • 7.8: Maintenance Phase and Relapse Prevention
      This page emphasizes the importance of the maintenance phase in sustaining behavior change, highlighting the need to solidify successful strategies while gradually discontinuing others. It discusses potential challenges such as motivation loss and generalization issues, and distinguishes between lapses and relapses. To prevent lapses from escalating into relapses, recognizing high-risk situations and keeping behavioral records are crucial strategies.
    • 7.9: Chapter Recap
      This page explores Module 7, which centers on DiClimente’s framework for facilitating change, emphasizing self-efficacy in behavior modification. It covers defining target behaviors, setting subgoals, and collecting baseline data. Key strategies include antecedent manipulation, behavioral shaping, and consequences-based methods.

    This page titled 7: Applications of Operant Conditioning is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Lee W. Daffin Jr. via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.