Final Exam Answers for Psychology 2440- Behavior and Modification
Principles GROUP #3 Compilations
[Type text] [Type text]
UNIT 1
1) What is behavior, generally and technically? Give three synonyms
of Behavior
• Generally, behavior is anything a person says or does
• Technically, behavior is any muscular, glandular or
electrical activity of an organism
5) Describe two dimensions of behavior. Give an example of each.
• Frequency of a behavior is the number of instances that occur in a given
period of time e.g. Frank planted 5 tomato plants in his garden in 30
minutes.
• Duration of a behavior is the length of time that it lasts e.g. Mary
studied for one hour
9) What is a behavioral deficit? Give two examples that are not in the textbook.
• Behavioral deficit is too little behavior of a particular
type Example rarely attending morning lectures.
10) What is a behavioral excess. Give two examples that are not in the textbook.
• Behavioral excesses are too much behavior of a particular type
Example too much intake of alcohol.
12) Define behavior Modification.
Behavior modification involves the systematic application of learning
principles and techniques to assess and improve individuals’ covert and
overt behaviors in order to enhance their daily functioning.
14) State seven defining characteristics of behavior modification.
• Its strong emphasis on defining problems in terms of behavior that
can be measured in some way, and using changes in the
behavioral measure of the problem as the best indicator of the
extent to which the problem is being helped.
• Its treatment procedures and techniques are ways of altering an
individual’s current environment to help that individual
function more fully.
• Its methods and rationales can be described precisely.
,Final Exam Answers for Psychology 2440- Behavior and Modification
Principles GROUP #3 Compilations
• The techniques of behavior modification are often applied
by individuals in everyday life.
• The techniques stem from basic and applied research in the
science of learning in general, and the principles of operant
and Pavlovian conditioning in particular.
• That behavior modification emphasizes scientific demonstration
that a particular intervention or treatment was responsible for a
particular behavior change.
• And it places high value on accountability for everyone
involved in behavior modification programs: client, staff,
administrators, consultants, and so on.
16) Define behavioral assessment.
Behavioral assessment involves the collection and
analysis of information and data in order to (a) identify and describe
target behaviors; (b) identify possible causes of the behavior; (c)
guide the selection of an appropriate behavioral treatment; and (d)
evaluate treatment outcome.
18) Briefly describe B. F. Skinner’s early influence on behavior modification?
In 1938, B. F. Skinner distinguished between Pavlovian
conditioning and operant conditioning—a type of learning in which
behavior is modified by its consequences (rewards and punishers). In 1953,
in his book Science and Human Behavior, Skinner offered his interpretation
of how basic learning principles could influence the behavior of people in all
kinds of situations. In the 1950s and 1960s, practitioners, influenced by
Skinner, published a number of papers that demonstrated applications of
operant conditioning principles to help people in a variety of ways. These
applications were given the name behavior modification. Examples of these
applications include helping an individual to overcome stuttering,
eliminating excessive vomiting of a child with intellectual disabilities, and
teaching a child with autism to wear his prescription glasses.
23) List four myths or misconceptions about behavior modification.
• Myth 1: Use of rewards by behavior modifiers to change
behavior is bribery.
• Myth 2: Behavior modification involves the use of drugs and
electroconvulsive therapy.
,Final Exam Answers for Psychology 2440- Behavior and Modification
Principles GROUP #3 Compilations
• Myth 3: Behavior modification only changes symptoms; it
doesn’t get at the underlying problems.
• Myth 4: Behavior modification can be applied to deal with simple
problems, such as toilet-training children or overcoming fear of
heights, but it is not applicable for dealing with complex problems
such as low self-esteem or depression.
• Myth 5: Behavior modifiers are cold and unfeeling and
don’t develop empathy with their clients.
• Myth 6: Behavior modifiers deal only with observable behavior;
they don’t deal with thoughts and feelings of clients.
• Myth 7: Behavior modifiers deny the importance of genetics
or heredity in determining behavior.
• Myth 8: Behavior modification is outdated.
26) What is key to ensuring ethical and effective treatment programs
by applied behavior analysts/behavior therapists?
• Applied behavior analysts/behavior therapists should receive
appropriate academic training, including supervised practical
training, to ensure competence in behavioral assessment,
designing and implementing treatment programs, and evaluating
their results.
, Final Exam Answers for Psychology 2440- Behavior and Modification
Principles GROUP #3 Compilations
UNIT 2
8. List for behaviors of children with autism that have been modified using
behavior modification.
* Social and play behaviors
* Improve communication skills
* Eliminate selfstimulatory behaviors
* Develop language skills
11. List for behaviors in the area of selfmanagement of personal problems that
have been modified by behavior modification techniques.
* Saving money
* Exercising
* Engaging in good study habits
* Controlling gambling
12. What is health psychology?
* Health psychology is an area within behavioral medicine which considers
how psychological factors can influence or cause illness, and how people can be
encouraged to practice healthy behavior so as to prevent health problems.
13. List five areas of application within health psychology.
* Direct treatment of medical problems
* Establishing treatment compliance
* Promotion of healthy living
* Management of caregivers
* Stress management
15. Define behavioral community psychology.
Principles GROUP #3 Compilations
[Type text] [Type text]
UNIT 1
1) What is behavior, generally and technically? Give three synonyms
of Behavior
• Generally, behavior is anything a person says or does
• Technically, behavior is any muscular, glandular or
electrical activity of an organism
5) Describe two dimensions of behavior. Give an example of each.
• Frequency of a behavior is the number of instances that occur in a given
period of time e.g. Frank planted 5 tomato plants in his garden in 30
minutes.
• Duration of a behavior is the length of time that it lasts e.g. Mary
studied for one hour
9) What is a behavioral deficit? Give two examples that are not in the textbook.
• Behavioral deficit is too little behavior of a particular
type Example rarely attending morning lectures.
10) What is a behavioral excess. Give two examples that are not in the textbook.
• Behavioral excesses are too much behavior of a particular type
Example too much intake of alcohol.
12) Define behavior Modification.
Behavior modification involves the systematic application of learning
principles and techniques to assess and improve individuals’ covert and
overt behaviors in order to enhance their daily functioning.
14) State seven defining characteristics of behavior modification.
• Its strong emphasis on defining problems in terms of behavior that
can be measured in some way, and using changes in the
behavioral measure of the problem as the best indicator of the
extent to which the problem is being helped.
• Its treatment procedures and techniques are ways of altering an
individual’s current environment to help that individual
function more fully.
• Its methods and rationales can be described precisely.
,Final Exam Answers for Psychology 2440- Behavior and Modification
Principles GROUP #3 Compilations
• The techniques of behavior modification are often applied
by individuals in everyday life.
• The techniques stem from basic and applied research in the
science of learning in general, and the principles of operant
and Pavlovian conditioning in particular.
• That behavior modification emphasizes scientific demonstration
that a particular intervention or treatment was responsible for a
particular behavior change.
• And it places high value on accountability for everyone
involved in behavior modification programs: client, staff,
administrators, consultants, and so on.
16) Define behavioral assessment.
Behavioral assessment involves the collection and
analysis of information and data in order to (a) identify and describe
target behaviors; (b) identify possible causes of the behavior; (c)
guide the selection of an appropriate behavioral treatment; and (d)
evaluate treatment outcome.
18) Briefly describe B. F. Skinner’s early influence on behavior modification?
In 1938, B. F. Skinner distinguished between Pavlovian
conditioning and operant conditioning—a type of learning in which
behavior is modified by its consequences (rewards and punishers). In 1953,
in his book Science and Human Behavior, Skinner offered his interpretation
of how basic learning principles could influence the behavior of people in all
kinds of situations. In the 1950s and 1960s, practitioners, influenced by
Skinner, published a number of papers that demonstrated applications of
operant conditioning principles to help people in a variety of ways. These
applications were given the name behavior modification. Examples of these
applications include helping an individual to overcome stuttering,
eliminating excessive vomiting of a child with intellectual disabilities, and
teaching a child with autism to wear his prescription glasses.
23) List four myths or misconceptions about behavior modification.
• Myth 1: Use of rewards by behavior modifiers to change
behavior is bribery.
• Myth 2: Behavior modification involves the use of drugs and
electroconvulsive therapy.
,Final Exam Answers for Psychology 2440- Behavior and Modification
Principles GROUP #3 Compilations
• Myth 3: Behavior modification only changes symptoms; it
doesn’t get at the underlying problems.
• Myth 4: Behavior modification can be applied to deal with simple
problems, such as toilet-training children or overcoming fear of
heights, but it is not applicable for dealing with complex problems
such as low self-esteem or depression.
• Myth 5: Behavior modifiers are cold and unfeeling and
don’t develop empathy with their clients.
• Myth 6: Behavior modifiers deal only with observable behavior;
they don’t deal with thoughts and feelings of clients.
• Myth 7: Behavior modifiers deny the importance of genetics
or heredity in determining behavior.
• Myth 8: Behavior modification is outdated.
26) What is key to ensuring ethical and effective treatment programs
by applied behavior analysts/behavior therapists?
• Applied behavior analysts/behavior therapists should receive
appropriate academic training, including supervised practical
training, to ensure competence in behavioral assessment,
designing and implementing treatment programs, and evaluating
their results.
, Final Exam Answers for Psychology 2440- Behavior and Modification
Principles GROUP #3 Compilations
UNIT 2
8. List for behaviors of children with autism that have been modified using
behavior modification.
* Social and play behaviors
* Improve communication skills
* Eliminate selfstimulatory behaviors
* Develop language skills
11. List for behaviors in the area of selfmanagement of personal problems that
have been modified by behavior modification techniques.
* Saving money
* Exercising
* Engaging in good study habits
* Controlling gambling
12. What is health psychology?
* Health psychology is an area within behavioral medicine which considers
how psychological factors can influence or cause illness, and how people can be
encouraged to practice healthy behavior so as to prevent health problems.
13. List five areas of application within health psychology.
* Direct treatment of medical problems
* Establishing treatment compliance
* Promotion of healthy living
* Management of caregivers
* Stress management
15. Define behavioral community psychology.
