WordNet
n. psychotherapy that seeks to extinguish or inhibit abnormal or maladaptive behavior by reinforcing desired behavior and extinguishing undesired behavior [syn: behavior therapy]
Wikipedia
Behavior modification is based on methodological behaviorism, which refers to limiting behavior-change procedures to behaviors that are observable and was employed briefly during the late 1950s but predominately from the late 1970s to early 1980s. Specifically, behavior was modified through the use of presumed consequences, including positive and negative reinforcement contingencies to increase desirable behavior or by administering extinction and/or punishment to reduce behavior.
In contrast to behavior analysis, analyzing the behavior-environment interactions (including antecedent stimuli) was not considered relevant in behavior modification; it also lacked the conceptual piece ( radical behaviorism) initially purposed by B. F. Skinner. Subsequently, applied behavior analysis (ABA) has superseded the early term behavior modification since the 1990s.
Behavior Modification is a peer-reviewed academic journal that covers research in the field of behavior modification. The editor-in-chief is Alan S. Bellack ( University of Maryland). It was established in 1977 and is currently published by SAGE Publications.
Usage examples of "behavior modification".
His research into behavior modification, his fascination with the occult, his love of fast cars —.
It would be a pity to mar that lovely new body of hers, but Jantu was a great believer in the efficacy of judiciously applied pain when it came to behavior modification.
Generalizing 'consciousness' to mean any form of self-instigated behavior modification gives us a whole new way of looking at living systems.
It was much more of a challenge spreading them through behavior modification.
Given modern techniques of behavior modification and genetic manipulation, this might someday be possible.
During the 1960's and 70's, the use of reinforcement, called behavior modification, became very popular with psychologists, especially in schools and with the mentally or emotionally handicapped.