Recreational therapy
Module 1
Introduction to Behavioral Concepts
Dattilo, J & Murphy, W.D (1987). Behavior Modification in Therapeutic Recreation. State College, PA: Venture.
Behavior Modification
A systematic, performance-based, evaluative method for changing behavior.
This process is currently known as applied behavior analysis.
Dattilo, J & Murphy, W.D (1987). Behavior Modification in Therapeutic Recreation. State College, PA: Venture.
3 fields of Behavior Analysis
Applied Behavior Analysis
Radical Behaviorism
Experimental Analysis of Behavior
Dattilo, J & Murphy, W.D (1987). Behavior Modification in Therapeutic Recreation. State College, PA: Venture.
Behavior
Any observable and measureable act, response, or movement by an individual.
Dattilo, J & Murphy, W.D (1987). Behavior Modification in Therapeutic Recreation. State College, PA: Venture.
Targeted Behavior
A behavior that is the focus of programmed efforts aimed at alteration or modification.
Dattilo, J & Murphy, W.D (1987). Behavior Modification in Therapeutic Recreation. State College, PA: Venture.
Tenets of Behavior Modification
Procedures designed to change behavior in a measurable manner.
Based on the belief that behaviors are learned.
Avoids inferences, untested hypotheses, vague reasoning, or undefined impulses as explanations for behavior.
Behavior is present in an environment and is influenced and shaped by that environment.
Focus on individual behaviors. “it is the behavior that is the concern and it is the behavior that can be changed” (p.1)
Dattilo, J & Murphy, W.D (1987). Behavior Modification in Therapeutic Recreation. State College, PA: Venture.
“The procedures used in behavior modification focus on OBSERVABLE and MEASURABLE behaviors, rather than presumable influential internal agents” (p. 1).
Dattilo, J & Murphy, W.D (1987). Behavior Modification in Therapeutic Recreation. State College, PA: Venture.
Behavior and the Environment
Humans are reactors to their environment
The environment contains all the circumstances, objects, people, behavior, and conditions than an individual encounters.
Behavior modification emphasizes the relationship between changes in the environment and changes in the individual’s behavior.
Through environmental manipulation, modification of an individual’s behavior can occur.
Dattilo, J & Murphy, W.D (1987). Behavior Modification in Therapeutic Recreation. State College, PA: Venture.
Behavior Modification and Programming
Based on the needs of participants, professionals develop goals and objectives directed toward enhancing the leisure lifestyles of individual participants.
The use of measureable behaviors in behavior modification facilitates the identification of participant needs and the subsequent development of explicit objectives.
These goals and objectives provide direction in determining the delivery of appropriate leisure programs. (pg 2)
Dattilo, J & Murphy, W.D (1987). Behavior Modification in Therapeutic Recreation. State College, PA: Venture.
Behavior Modification in Planning and Implementation (pg 2)
Behavior modification techniques are means to :
Accelerate {increase] behaviors that are appropriate in a specific context.
Decrease behaviors that are inappropriate for that context.
Behavior modification can facilitate the identification of successful intervention techniques.
This identification encourages more frequent and systematic application of effective, precise and clear intervention strategies.
Dattilo, J & Murphy, W.D (1987). Behavior Modification in Therapeutic Recreation. State College, PA: Venture.
The ABCs of Behavior modification (pg 2 &3)
Behavior modification examines the relationship among:
Behavioral ANTECEDENTS,
THE BEHAVIORS themselves,
and the CONSEQUENCES of these behaviors.
Dattilo, J & Murphy, W.D (1987). Behavior Modification in Therapeutic Recreation. State College, PA: Venture.
Evaluation in TR and Behavior Modification (pg. 3)
The identification of observable and measurable:
Target Behaviors
Antecedents
Consequences
Enhances the ability of professionals to conduct systematic program evaluation.
Documentation of program effectiveness demonstrates the provision of quality services and subsequent enhancement of the leisure lifestyles of the participants.
Dattilo, J & Murphy, W.D (1987). Behavior Modification in Therapeutic Recreation. State College, PA: Venture.