B

Behaviour modification A form of psychological treatment based on the application of principles and research findings of learning theory to the study and change of maladaptive behaviour (rather than, for example attitudes or intra-psychic problems). The treatment involves the identification of the discrete behaviours that constitute the problem (e.g. specific fears, failure in the achievement of particular tasks); identification of the conditions controlling those behaviours in the present; specification of the modification of behaviour required; and formation of a programme that will lead to the modification. Programmes are built on the systematic use of particular techniques, including positive and negative reinforcement, extinction (as, for instance, in a programme of systematic desensitisation), imitative learning, penalising measures, and so on. The modification of specific behaviours may be undertaken by the therapist, social worker or by others in the 'patient's' environment. Behaviour modification was initially resisted as an approach in social work, mainly because it challenged the dominance of a psychodynamic approach and because it presented moral and possibly political problems. The latter are still voiced, but behaviour modification also challenges social work by its systematic and rigorous search for results and also for clear descriptions of intervention. Its use in conjunction with other approaches has been reported. See also Conditioning.