Effective Behavior Management Strategies in Education

1. Behaviorism

2. Reinforcers • Unique to each student • Primary, secondary, positive, negative • All encourage behavior

3. Self-reinforcement Praise Attention Privileges Activity Reinforcement (Premack Principle) Grades and recognition Home-based reinforcement Tangible reinforcers Food Practical Reinforcers

4. Other methods • Report cards • Academic • Behavioral

5. Punishers • Also unique to each student • Use only when reinforcement has failed • Mildest form, part of plan, consistent

6. Positive & Negative

7. Shaping • Break tasks down into smaller sections • Attainable criterion • Successive approximations

8. Shaping “Students should be reinforced for behaviors that are within their current capabilities but that also stretch them toward new skills.” – sound familiar?

9. Extinction • Beware of the “Extinction Burst!” • Don’t be afraid to tell students what you’re trying to do

10. Schedules • Fixed (and continuous) v. Variable (or intermittent) • When to use each? • Set high standards

11. In the Classroom… • Teach a new skill • Begin with continuous reinforcement • Make behaviors explicit at the beginning

12. In the Classroom… • Reminders that certain behaviors are expected (not always verbal) • Give feedback about specific behaviors • Make reinforcement intermittent as they learn more

13. Applied Behavior Analysis • Identify target behavior(s) and reinforcer(s). • Establish a baseline for the target behavior. • Choose a reinforcer and criteria for reinforcement. • If necessary, choose a punisher and criteria for punishment.

14. Applied Behavior Analysis • Observe behavior during program implementation, and compare it to baseline. • When the behavior management program is working, reduce the frequency of reinforcement

15. Main Points • Consequences of current behavior determine future behavior • Try the least elaborate or tangible reinforcers first!!!