In discrimination training, a new behavior can be reinforced in the presence of a certain stimulus, which helps to shape the behavior that is likely to occur in the future. In behavior modification, there are various ways that generalization of behavior can be reinforced which include reinforcing occurrences of generalization as the first procedure. The second procedure is training skills that target natural contingencies of reinforcement. From the case study, Heidi can promote generalization by using the two procedures of the reduction in cursing to the softball days.
Heidi could use the procedure of reinforcing occurrences of generalization when she was outside the training environment, which based on the case, was outside her classroom setting. According to Miltenberger (2016), the occurrence of generalization for Heidi would try to adapt the behavior of avoiding cursing words when she is not using her friends as control measures. She would need to “recruit” herself without getting help from her classmates in order to reinforce the behavior of avoiding cursing words and practice it frequently in times when she plays softball.
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The second strategy she could adopt is training skills that target natural contingencies of reinforcement. If Heidi would find it too challenging to provide reinforcement for her cursing behavior in the context of the softball game, she could prefer natural reinforcers to be present (Kaplan & Saccuzzo, 2013). For example, she could invite her friend who would remind her every time she forgets and uses cursing words. Her friends can pinch her as a warning alert when she uses cursing words.
In these two approaches, the learner focuses on learning assertiveness skills by trying to eliminate an ‘unwanted behavior’ from her list of good behaviors. Her ability to adapt to a new behavior depends on the effectiveness of either of the two procedures. The second method of having reinforcers is more effective than trying to reinforce an occurrence of a generalization since external factors, such as friends who could control her behavior, motivate the propensity of a person to adopt a new behavior.
References
Kaplan, R. M., & Saccuzzo, D. P., (2013). Psychological testing: Principles, applications, and issues (8th ed.) . Belmont, CA: Cengage.
Miltenberger, R. G. (2016). Behavior modification: Principles and procedures (6th ed.). Boston,
MA: Cengage Learning.
