Behavior & the Environment Part 2 Catherine Stefaniw M.a. BCBA/LBA

Let’s Review…. Last week we discussed: What is behavior? What is the environment? To change behavior you need to make changes to the environment.

What is Behavior? Activity of living beings. It is everything a living being does. Changes over time and in response to the environment Behaviors can be observed and measured

Behavior Examples Non-Examples Running Eating a piece of bread Walking Talking Petting a dog Playing a video game Thinking about what to make for dinner (thoughts are behavior) Non-Examples Being depressed (or happy etc..) Any Diagnosis (ADHD, Autism, etc..) Being hyper Indicating functioning level (ex: high or low functioning) ”Acting out”

Environment Conditions that surround a person Includes all the 5 senses (sight, touch, hearing, smell, and taste) Is constantly changing

Environment People you interact with Clothing Food on your plate Temperature Noise level in room Furniture Demands from others (ex: “go clean your room”)

Antecedent Behavior Consequence An antecedent is the event that occurs immediately BEFORE the behavior. Mom places apple on child’s plate. Brother gives water bottle to sister Teacher says, “no.” What the person does. Child says, “Thank you.” Sister throws water on the floor. Student throws pencil The consequence is the event that occurs immediately AFTER the behavior. Mom smiles and says, “Your welcome.” Brother yells at sister Teacher tells the student to pick up the pencil.

To change behavior you need to change the environment!! Option #1 Change what happens BEFORE the behavior (antecedent). Examples Do homework in a different room Write down chores instead of telling your child Change the order of a routine Use a written or picture schedule Option #2 Change what happens AFTER the behavior occurs (consequence). Examples Provide a toy to child upon completion of homework Correct by modeling appropriate behavior Use a token board/behavior chart Provide verbal praise for appropriate behaviors

What Changes Did you Make? What behavior did you choose? What did you change about the environment? Did you make a change the antecedent OR the consequence?

What happens before? Behavior What happens after? Antecedents What the behavior looks like? A consequence is what happens after a behavior occurs. The consequence that occurs “closest” to the behavior is the most meaningful. Reinforcement is one type of consequence.

What is Reinforcement? Reinforcement increases the likelihood that a behavior will occur again in the future. Reinforcement has NOTHING to do with how “nice” or “mean” someone is to the person. Reinforcement is only reinforcement if it increases the rate of behavior.

Why is this Important? We seek to replace inappropriate behaviors with socially appropriate behaviors. If we successfully reinforce replacement behaviors we will hopefully see less inappropriate behaviors.

There are 2 types Of Reinforcement Positive: After the behavior occurs a stimulus is ADDED to the environment (e.g., attention, toys, etc..) and due to this the person is more likely to engage in the behavior again. Negative: After the behavior occurs a stimulus is REMOVED from the environment (e.g., work, demand) and due to this the person is more likely to engage in the behavior again.

Examples of Positive Reinforcement Before Behavior Consequence Child sees toy on shelf Child sees toy on the shelf Parent is working on the computer Child cries Child points and says, “Please.” Child whines and kicks the chair Child says, “Excuse me.” Parent gives the toy to the child (give tangible) Parent gives the toy to the child Parent “yells” at the child to ”stop.” (give attention) Parent says, “Yes, what do you need?” (give attention)

Examples of Negative Reinforcement Before Behavior Consequence Parent gets out math homework Baby is crying in their crib at 2 A.M. Parent is asking a teenager about their day. Child puts their head down and says they don’t feel well. Parent picks up the child too soothe them. Teenager says, “Fine,” and runs to their room. Parent says, “Okay we will do it later.” (remove demand) Crying stops (remove the noise) Teenager is alone in their room (remove attention)

Let’s think About Behavior Changes? What happens before the behavior occurs? What changes can I make to the environment (Before)? Behavior What does it look like? Replacement behavior Consequence (type of reinforcement for replacement behavior).

References Cooper, John O., Heron, Timothy E., Heward, William. 2007. Applied Behavior Analysis, 2nd Edition. Pearson. Contact Information Catherine Stefaniw M.A., BCBA/LBA Behavior Consultant Metro Therapy cstefaniw79@gmail.com Thank you for joining me today! I look forward to a fantastic year!!