Re: Assignment #2 -- Life-span Human Development

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Subject: Re: Assignment #2

Author:
Kelly Hanks

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Date Posted: 13:47:22 06/12/10 Sat
In reply to: Dr. M-J 's message, "Assignment #2" on 19:25:40 06/11/10 Fri

>Assignment 2 (Behaviorism): June 13
>Post a response to the following question by first
>clicking onto "Post a Reply to this Message"
>
>Think of a problem/situation in your area (teaching or
>counseling or as a parent) where you would use of have
>used behavioristic or social learning theories.
>Provide an example of the problem/situation and the
>solution.
As I mentioned in the first assignment, I work at Youth Villages. More specific, I work at a residential facility with teenage boys whom have sexually offended others. I have worked directly with the youth for nearly 2 and half years and in doing so I have become a big believer in behaviorism. Most of my youth have been victim to abuse and or observed abuse within their short lives. Bandura's theory on social learning really defines some of what my youth have experienced. Most of the youth whom are very aggressive come from households where aggression is rampant. One of my client's report having seen his father beat his mother by a 2x4 board and nearly knocking her eyeballs out of her head. This particular child had very aggressive outburst while in the treatment facility. One outburst resulted in a staff member getting her nose broke. When I would process with this child he would claim that aggression is the only way he knew how to handle his frustration. That was the only "coping skill" his family used. Once again social learning was an enormous part of his development.
In his treatment, the clinical team decided to use reward reinforcement to help teach him more appropriate ways of handling his aggression. Skinner's operant conditioning really outlines the techniques we used. When the youth was able to utilize a coping skill in times of frustration such as taking a self time out, processing with a staff member, drawing, self talk, sports, or even verbal aggression he was reinforced for his behavior. The reinforcement was done immediately following his positive decision to not react in an aggressive manner. The reinforcement may have been a verbal compliment, positive incident report (tangible recognition), earning extra privileges, etc. Whatever the reinforcement was it was important to give it immediately following his behavior and to give an explanation of why he was receiving it.
It took a while for the youth to begin to learn more appropriate ways to deal with his frustration, however, the reinforcement that the staff provided began to take effect. The youth began to notice his accomplishment and his behavior began to change for the better. He was able to earn more points throughout the day (the points monitored his behavior within the cottage) and at one point even made it to track 2 ( a higher privilege within the cottage). He was able to participate in more activities with his peers because he was able to use more appropriate coping skills and not hurt others.
I have used behaviorism while working at Youth Villages the entire time. I have witnessed its positive outcomes and I am grateful for the research.

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Replies:

Subject	Author	Date
Re: Assignment #2	Savannah Simpson	10:01:05 06/15/10 Tue
Re: Assignment #2 -- Tiffany Mosby, 11:46:20 06/15/10 Tue