happiness isn’t brain surgery behavior modification 2
TRANSCRIPT
AllCEUs.com Unlimited CEUs and Specialty Certifications $59
Happiness Isn’t Brain Surgery:
Behavior Modification Basics/Part 2Presented by: Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes
Executive Director, AllCEUsHost: Counselor Toolbox
Objectives Continue to explore the usefulness of behavior
modification Review basic behavior modification terms:
Unconditioned stimulus and response Conditioned stimulus and response Discriminitive stimuli Learned helplessness
Learn additional modification terms: Reinforcement Punishment Extinction Burse Premack Principle
Why Do I Care Change means doing something different or
modifying a response While stimuli prompt a behavior, reinforcement
and punishment are associated with motivation Understanding these principles will help you
Elicit a behavior Increase the likelihood it will happen again Decrease the likelihood of unwanted behaviors
Review basic behavior modification terms
Unconditioned stimulus and response Loud noise startle Bright light squinting
Conditioned stimulus and response Doorbell answer the door Yellow light slow down
Discriminitive stimuli Set the occasion for the behavior (reminder stickies,
pictures, alarms, Learned helplessness
Lack of responsiveness to a stimulus when all options have been exhausted
New Terms Positive Reinforcement
Providing something positive in order to increase the likelihood a behavior will occur again
ExamplesFoodMoney (Paycheck)ValidationPromotionPower (Choosing activities)
What can be added that is rewarding AND helpful for the person
New Terms Negative Reinforcement
Removing something negative in order to increase the likelihood a behavior will occur again
ExamplesReducing mandatory counseling sessionsDropping restitution or additional charges upon
completionCan leave the table once vegetables are eaten
What can be eliminated that would be considered rewarding AND helpful for the person
New Terms Positive Punishment
Adding something negative to decrease the likelihood that a behavior will recur
ExamplesAntabuseSpankingAdditional sessionsRubberband snaps
What can be added that would be considered unpleasant for the person
New Terms Negative Punishment
Removing something positive to decrease the likelihood that a behavior will recur
ExamplesGrounding/priviledgesMoney (Fines)JailRelationship/Setting boundariesControl/power
What can be eliminated that would be considered undesirable
Types of Rewards and Punishments Rewards and Punishments can be:
Emotional (Happiness) Mental (Improved decision making, cognitive
clarity) Physical (Appearance, health, pain, energy, sleep,
relaxation) Social (Acceptance, admiration, support) Spiritual/Karmic Financial Environmental (freedom, pleasant conditions)
Apply It The more rewards that can be gained the
stronger the motivation to repeat the behavior Drugs/Addictive Behaviors
Positive Reinforcement: DopamineNegative Reinforcement: Numbing of Pain
Self-InjuryPositive reinforcement: Endogenous opioids, feeling
of controlNegative reinforcement: Numbing of pain
New Term Behavior Strain
The point at which the reinforcement or punishment is no longer effective
Effected by:AgeCognitive developmentStrength of the reinforcement or punishment
Smaller, more frequent rewards for completion of smaller goals:
Provide rapid benefitsMaintain momentum
New Term Extinction Burst
A temporary increase in a behavior when rewards are absent or insufficient
Child in the storePigeon wanting food“Acting Out”
The behavior ceases when the demands/costs of the behavior exceed the potential reward
PromotionTreatment
New Term Premack Principle
Concurrently pairing something undesirable with something desirable
ExamplesLaundry folding with watching televisionExercise with socialization/puppy time/natureStudying with peer pressureCleaning with music/tv/aromatherapyWork with coffee
Applying itOld Behavior New Behavior
Benefits These are the reasons the old behavior was rewarding—the person was motivated to engage in itMust be made less rewarding through punishment or alternatives
These are the reasons the new behavior is rewarding and need to be strengthened. Add additional reinforcers to strengthen the power.
Drawbacks
These are the reasons the old behavior is punishing. They need to be strengthened/highlighted and additional punishments considered. (Antabuse, fines)
These are the reasons the new behavior is punishing/unpleasant/unrewarding.These “drains” need to be addressed (Premack principle and meetings)
Apply It Behavior 1: Social Withdrawal
Social withdrawal is rewarding mainly due to negative reinforcement (elimination of the unpleasant) Old Behavior: Social
WithdrawalNew Behavior: Social Support
Benefits Avoid extra stressWon’t disappoint anyoneMay increase depressionMore time with my catsWon’t burden anyone else
Buffer against stressCan increase positive neurotransmitters (serotonin/oxytocin)
Drawbacks
Does not help Some friends will disappointNot everyone will understandI will feel needy
Apply It Behavior 2: Explosive Anger
Explosive Anger New Coping Behaviors(call a friend, walk, journal)
Benefits PowerPushes away the threatGet my own way
Gives time to get past adrenaline surge and think clearlyEnables me to make better, long-term decisionsEnhances teamwork and communication
Drawbacks
ExhaustingAlienates peopleMakes it difficult to get genuine feedback
Feel vulnerableMay be taken advantage of
Apply It Behavior 3: Emotional Eating
Emotional Eating Coping BehaviorsBenefits Love food
Comforting—releases dopamine and serotoninEasily available
Help me eat when I am hungryCan enjoy food when I am eatingAssist in addressing the problem
Drawbacks
Gain weightFeel bloatedFeel weakThe problem is still thereCan disrupt sleepEmbarrassed to eat in front of others
Compulsions are hard to overcomeCoping behaviors are not as satisfying
Summary If you eliminate a behavior, you must replace it
with at least one, preferably 3 new ones People are “motivated” for rewards and to avoid
punishment. Decisional balance exercises can help people make
new behaviors rewarding and old behaviors…less rewarding
Reinforcers must be reinforcing to the person (i.e. jail avoidance to a career criminal, money to Trump)
Likewise, punishments must be unpleasant
Summary Rewards and Punishments can be:
Emotional (Happiness) Mental (Improved decision making, cognitive
clarity) Physical (Appearance, health, pain, energy, sleep,
relaxation) Social (Acceptance, admiration, support) Spiritual/Karmic Financial Environmental (freedom, pleasant conditions)