The Use of Conditioning in Behavior Modification

Abstract

Behavior modification has been an important topic of discussion in psychology for decades. This topic has generated much interest among parents, educators, marketers, clinicians and others. We all want to understand how to effectively help people to change undesirable behaviors.  Behaviorists have developed a number of theories and have contributed significant insights into how the principles of these theories can be applied to modify behaviors. This paper reviewed three such theories: classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and contiguous conditioning. The articles reviewed suggested that the principles of these theories, when implemented, help to modify behaviors. However, not all can be depended on for lasting effects. Classical and operant conditioning remain effective only with reinforcements. When the reinforcements are removed, the response (behavior) goes extinct. Contiguous conditioning, on the other hand, proposes three approaches to behavior modification which seem to have a longer lasting effect on behavior modification.