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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)