Behavior Modification: Desired Behavior can be
Created by Proper Reinforcement
Natalie Tamayo
CUNY Queens College
Abstract
This experiment is centered on the notation of Behavior Modification. In this experiment a rat is trained to exhibit a targeted behavior called Roll. The desired goal of the experiment is mold the rat into the behavior of producing rolls whenever the light is turned on. One rat took part in this experiment. There were two precursor behaviors to the desired Roll behavior. One behavior was genital grooming and the other was head tucking. First the behavior of genital grooming was consistently reinforced when exhibited. This behavior, after sometime, led in to the secondary behavior of head tucking. Once the rat began to consistently exhibit the behavior of head tucking the reinforcement for the genital grooming was eliminated. Reinforcements were then only provided for the displayed behavior of head tucking thus encouraging this secondary behavior. When the rat begins head tucking on a fairly often basis this behavior leads into the ultimately desired behavior of rolls. Just as was done with the first precursor behavior, reinforcements were then discontinued for this behavior and were only reintroduced for the behavior of roll. Once the rat had proved that she could consistently roll the last step of this experiment was introduced. This part entailed incorporating the dependant variable of light. Now she would only receive reinforcement when the light was turn on and she rolled. The following hypothesis was supported; desired behaviors can be controlled through proper reinforcement and reward.
Method
Participants
One virtual rat was used in this experiment. She was provided through the Sniffy the virtual rat Pro version 3.0 CD Rom software.
Materials
In the virtually simulated world of Sniffy; a cage, a light, a magazine and pellets of food were utilized.
You May Also Find These Documents Helpful
-
Behavior Intervention Plan Student: _John Smith____________ Grade: 5th____ School: Grand Canyon Elementary_____ Date Developed: _____________________ Date of Implementation: _____________________ Base Line Data Results: Hypothesis Statement: Person(s) Responsible for Implementing Plan: Behavior of Concern Behavior Defined Intervention Goal: Behavior Intervention Plan-page 2 Intervention Plan 1. 2. 3. 4.…
- 973 Words
- 4 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
out of the gizzard and into the proventriculus. Here the pellet will stay for several hours and has…
- 324 Words
- 1 Page
Satisfactory Essays -
Mrs. Blockhouse, the principal at Bertha Barber Elementary School, called the offices of “Hope Is Here” with a request for an intervention plan. Bertha Barber has an 8 year old, Caucasian boy, named David, with whom teachers and aides have described as having “aggressive and disruptive” behaviors. Aggressive behavior is behavior that causes physical or emotional harm to others, or threatens to (Gabbey, 2013). Disruptive behavior is defined as behaviors that hamper the ability of instructors to teach and students to learn (Disruptive Classroom Behaviors, n.d.). These behaviors have been on going for 6 months. David was an ideal…
- 1967 Words
- 8 Pages
Better Essays -
The purpose of my experiment was to change my study habits. Before beginning the assignment I started off only studying my classwork for about 1 to 2 hours a day. I readily noticed that this behavior needs to change to at least 3 to 4 hours a day, so I figured out a plan. The basic approach I used to change this behavior was to start going to the library more often rather than leaving and going straight home after class. I also started taking better class notes so that I could have something to review over than just my text book. By me putting in more hours of study time I should see a better outcome in my grades by the end of the semester.…
- 504 Words
- 3 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
#3) The shaping method I employed to get Sniffy to bar press was largely attributed to the Sniffy Lab Assistant window. As advised, when Sniffy came close to the food dispenser, I would bar press. After many attempts of reinforcing the sound of the bar press dispensing the food pellet, I employed Dr. Leon’s method and began to be stingy with the food pellets once the association with the sound of the bar press was established. Once the desired behavioral response was created, soon after, Sniffy would consistently bar press for food pellets in the region of two hours in…
- 402 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
Is there a habit that you would like to break? For example, maybe you think that you drink too much coffee, bite your nails too much, or put things off too often. Or maybe there is a word or phrase that you would like to use less frequently (e.g., “like”, “uhhh” “literally”). Alternatively, is there a behavior that you would like to do more often? For example, maybe you would like to drink more water, floss after every meal, or spend more time on a certain activity (e.g., reading your textbook). For this assignment, you will choose one behavior and apply the principles of Operant Conditioning to affect how often you perform it.…
- 955 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
Schools are in great need of systems, processes, and personnel who are able to support the needs of students with problem behavior. Research indicates, however, that (while I am a big, fat cheater) information has not been made available to teachers and other professionals in a format that allows these strategies to become common practice. Many teachers choose isolated behavioral strategies that are not applied immediately after the problem behavior has occurred.…
- 426 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
There is a person who is outstanding figure in every generation, society. One that will go above and beyond for any reason without question, and for what every reason this person reacts it may be because of his environment and ethics.…
- 1187 Words
- 4 Pages
Better Essays -
The behavior modification project is used to work toward better health habits. The project required me to observe my unhealthy behavior over a period of time. Also, it requires to create punishments and rewards for said behavior. It is meant for us to modify our bad behaviors by retaining them and creating new heathier habits. Alexia Johnson has been my partner and supporter for this project. The bad behavior I chose was watching excessive television. My punishment consisted of ten squats per minute of television I watch and my reward was to have a home cooked meal with my peers, which I do not get to do often because I am busy watching television.…
- 990 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
In my self-directed behavioral change project, I encountered a lot of difficult challenges and obstacles in reaching my ultimate goal: a better night’s sleep. My goals for this behavioral change project were to establish a proper sleep and bedtime regimen, getting a full-night’s rest and ultimately feeling more alert and energetic through the day. My main goals were to improve my sleep cycle/regimen by getting the necessary eight hours of sleep I need every night and waking up in the morning feeling fully rested and not sleepy, tired, or groggy at all. This is what I set out to do and I recorded all the times I went to bed, times I’d fall asleep, times I’d wake up in the middle of the night, and times I’d wake up next morning. I recorded all of my observations and occurrences for two weeks and noticed some positive change in my bed-time pattern. I was able to get the necessary eight hours of sleep every night and felt a difference the next day.…
- 1490 Words
- 6 Pages
Better Essays -
It is not uncommon for adolescents to experiment with a variety of substances. However, studies have…
- 2109 Words
- 9 Pages
Better Essays -
Applied behavior analysis can be used in all walks of life; it 's amazing to see how beneficial it can be to enhance someone 's life such as helping to improve an athlete 's game to change classroom behaviors. For the two scenarios the rationale for each selected behavioral modification strategy will be explained, discuss behavioral chaining, using of token economies for classrooms, mastering units of behavior, and end by discussing the role of back up reinforcers.…
- 1559 Words
- 7 Pages
Powerful Essays -
Keeping up a behavior can be hard, “the motivation must come from within.” For the past 23 days I have been striving to change and succeed, by the 22nd of October, in two specific nutritional behavior goals. One of them was to intake at least 30 grams of fiber on weekdays and at least 25 grams on weekends. The other was to reduce my sodium intake by a quarter, on weekdays, of what it was per day and reduce it by an eighth on weekends. This preparation all started about a week before my 23 days of transformation. In the three beginning days I tracked my diet and found that my low fiber and high sodium consumptions were eye-opening problems. My average fiber intake per day rested at 21.18g, which was significantly lower than my goal of 38g per day. As this issue arose so did my awareness that multiple aspects of my health were at risk. For example, my low fiber intake could place me in danger of developing heart disease. Fiber nutrients reduce the chance of disease like heart disease, diabetes, and many other frightful illnesses. In addition, foods that consist of fiber provide a feeling of fullness without additional calories being added to a diet. As for my Sodium intake, I was recommended a target of 1500mg a day but I was actually devouring a skyrocketing 3959.4mg a day. Without thinking twice I knew I had to make significant behavior changes. Concerning my towering sodium intake, I found that high sodium consumption makes the body preserve more water, which can raise the blood volume and, in turn, increase blood pressure. Considering my high blood pressure it would be essential and crucial to lower my sodium intake. Fortunately, the data collected demonstrated that the amount of sodium I have been taking in each day has been playing a role in my elevated blood pressure. After reviewing this data and conducting research on these two nutrients I felt very serious about changing my dieting…
- 1569 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
I choose for my behavior change project not to eat fast food more than once a week. As an athlete, it is very important for me to have a good nutrition. But on the other side, as a human being it is tough to make always the right decision and just to eat healthy food. It was the only behavior change I could think about because I normally live very healthy. I do a lot of sports, my weight is perfect, and I also do not have any other health problems. I designed my project to limit fast food to once a week. I think it is a reasonable decision, as a balanced nutrition can handle bad input once a week. Also, I do not want to miss the taste of a good burger or some hot wings.…
- 552 Words
- 3 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
1. The experimental mouse is placed in a box that has a maze in it. The mouse is not fed and the maze in the box is secured.…
- 1231 Words
- 5 Pages
Good Essays