Operant Conditioning Military Families

Running head Deployment and Military Families The Effects of Deployment on Military Families Chi Patrick PSYC 365 Dr. Barbara Boothe May 3, 2009 Abstract Military families deal with issues common to all families. However, military families are also subjected to unique stressors, such as frequent geographical relocations, frequent separations of service members from families, and subsequent reorganizations of family life during reunions. One of the most disruptive stressors military families can face is the reintegration following the deployment. There are several major tasks which face returning service members when reintegrating after deployment. This paper will define each task, review possible challenges and discuss tips on how families
According to behaviorists, an organism (person) is conditioned by environmental events. Because of the conditioning many military members will come home with a heightened sensory experience to certain sights, sounds and smells. These experiences can lead to undesirable conditioned responses such as, nightmares, increased jumpiness/jitters, and flashbacks. Many of these conditioned responses can be dealt with through extinction and counter conditioning. Another component in the Behaviorists model of learning is Operant Conditioning. The Operant Conditioning theory relates to the reintegration phase by the means of positive reinforcement and shaping. When a service member comes home after a deployment it is very important that the entire family realize that the roles of the family have been redefined, new family systems have been developed, and both the service member and the family have inevitably changed. Unfortunately, some of the changes that have occurred can be detrimental to the family. If the family integrates aspects of positive reinforcement and shaping, negative behaviors that developed during the deployment could be changed into positive behaviors. Conclusion In closing,
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