ABSTRACT
Behavior analysis principles can be applied directly in real life, every day, for the benefit of everyone. For example, a teacher who has a thorough understanding of behavior principles can motivate her students to stay on task, improve their academic performance, and gain significant interpersonal skills in dealing with peers. Many teachers face unruly, acting-out, belligerent, and aggressive children on a day-to-day basis. Those who understand the basic principles of classroom management derived from behavior analysis will know how to use extinction with attention-maintained behaviors and when to reinforce approximations to appropriate behavior (shaping). A behaviorally trained teacher understands the power of attention as a reinforcer; she knows that looking at a child, smiling, and giving even the slightest praise can strengthen specific behaviors. A well trained teacher uses this strategy every minute of the day, constantly looking for behavior to reinforce and systematically ignoring any inappropriate classroom behavior.
“Behavior analysis principles can be applied directly in real life, every day, for the benefit of everyone.”
