Model of Care: Behavior Modification

Behavior Modification is the systematic use of principles of conditioning and learning, especially operant or instrumental conditioning, to teach certain skills or to extinguish undesirable behaviors, attitudes, or phobias. There are types of behavior modification: behavior therapy, self-control therapy, desensitization, aversion therapy, modeling therapy, and operant conditioning.

Behavior Therapy:
Behavior therapy is an approach to bring about behavioral change. It includes a group of diversified approaches for dealing with maladaptive behavior.


Self-Control Therapy:
Self control therapy is a combination of cognitive and behavioral approaches. It is useful to deal with stress. The basic of this concept is that talking to oneself can direct and control action more effectively.

Desensitization:
Desensitization is the reduction of intense reactions to a stimulus by repeated exposure to the stimulus in a weaker and milder form. The exposure is increased until the fear of the object or situation is ceased.

Aversion Therapy:
Aversion therapy is also a technique to change behavior in which the patient is exposed to a stimulus while simultaneously being subjected to some form of discomfort. This conditioning is intended to cause the patient to associate the stimulus with unpleasant sensations in order to stop the specific behavior.

Modeling Therapy:
In this therapy, the therapist acts as a role model for a specified behavior, and the client learns through imitation.

Operant Conditioning:
Operant conditioning is the use of consequences to modify the occurrence and form of behavior. It deals with the modification of "voluntary behavior". Reinforcement and punishment are the for this therapy.