Question

Define learning and classify the different process of behavior
modification.

Answer 1

• ANSWER-Learning is a relatively permanent change in behaviour caused as a result of experience.There is modification in one's behaviour,when new experiences happen.We can learn both negative and positive behaviours.It takes place continually in our life.
• Behaviour modification involves techniques which are used to increase or decrease a particular type of behvaiour.Mostly it is used to decrease the negative behaviours and replace it with positive behaviours.It is based on the principle of conditioning.
• Classical conditioning involves learning a response by associating two stimuli,whereas in Operant conditioning a response is learned based upon its consequences,i.e. whether it is rewarded or punished.
• Techniques:-
• Positive reinforcement means when the likelihood of a behaviour needs to be increased,so it is rewarded.For example,if a child's studying behaviour to get good grades needs to encouraged,then parents might give him his favourite candy,whenever he scores good on his test.
• Negative reinforcement means when the likelihood of the behaviour needs to be increased,by ignoring or eliminating an aversive stimulus.For example,when a child is nagged by his mother to clean his room,in order to avoid his mother's non-stop nagging(aversive stimulus),he would indulge in cleaning the room.
• Punishment means to decrease the likelihood of a behaviour by pairing an unpleasent stimulus with it.For exmaple,a child receiving detention for his misbehaviour in front of the entire class.
• Flooding is another behavioural modification technique which involves exposing a person to anxiety provoking objects or situations and rapidly.This is used to treat phobias in people.For example,forcing a person who has fear of spiders to hold one for 10 minutes.
• Systematic desensitization is also used for treating phobias,which is a step by step process,teaching the clients to remain calm while being exposed to the fear causing stimulus.For example,someone with fear of spiders,may start by looking at a picture of spider,then thinking about touching the spider and eventually holding it in his hand.All through out the person is taught relaxation exercises to keep onself calm.