The+Neo+Skinnerian+Model

**Shaping desired Behavior. **B.F. Skinner is the father of the behavioral school of psychology. A recently popular outgrowth of Skinnerian behaviorism is Behavior Modification. For a useful presentation, see the section on the Behavioral Systems Family in Joyce and Weil, //Models of Teaching//, particularly the introduction to the section and chapters on “Learning Self-Control” and “Assertive Training.”  **A Neo-Skinnerian Model of Classroom Discipline **; Shaping Desired Behavior. A recently popular outgrowth of Skinnerian behaviorism is Behavior Modification. *Behavior is conditioned by its consequences. Behavior is strengthened if followed immediately by reinforcement. Behavior is weakened if it is not reinforced. ["Extinction."] Behavior is also weakened if it is followed by punishment. *In the beginning stages of learning, reinforcement provided every time the behavior occurs produces the best results. *Behavior can be //maintained// by //irregular// reinforcement (just as the irregular reward leads to sustained interest, both in mice and men). Reinforcers include verbal approval, smiles, "thumbs up," high grades, free reading time, goodies, prizes and awards. This model is called Neo-Skinnerian to indicate that it is made up of newer applications of Skinner=s basic ideas. //Skinner himself never proposed a model of school discipline//. 1. Behavior is shaped by its consequences, by what happens to the individual after performing the act. 2. Behavior is strengthened if followed immediately by reinforces. Technically, a reinforcer is a stimulus that increases the likelihood that the individual will repeat the act. We commonly think of reinforces as rewards. <span style="display: block; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 27pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #000033; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">3. Strengthened behaviors are those that have become more likely to be repeated. <span style="display: block; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 27pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #000033; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">4. Behavior is weakened if it is not followed by reinforcement. <span style="display: block; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 27pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #000033; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">5. Weakened behaviors are those that become less likely than before to be repeated. <span style="display: block; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 27pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #000033; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">6. Behavior is also weakened if followed by punishment. Punishment is //not// the same thing as negative reinforcement. <span style="display: block; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 27pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #000033; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">7. Systematic use of reinforcement (rewards) can shape individual=s behavior in desired directions. <span style="display: block; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 27pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #000033; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">8. In the early stages of learning, constant reinforcement produces the best results. Constant means that the behavior is reinforced every time it occurs. <span style="display: block; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 27pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #000033; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">9. Once learning has reached the desired level, it is best maintained through intermittent reinforcement, reinforcement that is provided only occasionally, on an unpredictable schedule. <span style="display: block; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 27pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #000033; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">10. When applied to classroom learning and discipline, this process of behavior shaping through reinforcement is called behavior modification. <span style="display: block; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 27pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #000033; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">11. Behavior modification is one of the most powerful tools available to teachers for strengthening desired classroom learning and behavior. <span style="display: block; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 27pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #000033; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">12. Behavior modification is applied in these two ways: <span style="display: block; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 27pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #000033; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">a. The teacher observes the student perform an desired act; the teacher rewards the student; the student tends to repeat the act. <span style="display: block; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 27pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #000033; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">b. The teacher observes the student perform an undesired act; the teacher either ignores the act or punishes the student, then praises a student who is behaving correctly; the misbehaving student becomes less likely than before to repeat the act. <span style="display: block; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 27pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #000033; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">13. Behavior modification successfully uses various kinds of reinforces. They include social reinforces, such as verbal comments, facial expressions, and gestures; graphic reinforces, such as marks and stars; activity reinforces, such as free time, free reading, and collaborating with a friend; and tangible reinforces, such as food, prizes, and printed awards.
 * __<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 14pt;">The Neo-Skinnerian Model: __**

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