Generalization of Behavior Change

Each questions needs to be answered independently and they
only need to be 350 words.

Question #1

Select a target behavior
for change that will meet naturally existing contingencies of reinforcement.
Describe Ayllon and Azrin’s (1968) concept of the ‘relevance of behavior rule’,
and how your behavior meets this rule. Why is this so important to consider
when designing a behavior change plan, and how does your target behavior fit
this rule? With your target behavior in mind, specify all desired variations of
the target behavior and the settings/situations in which it should (and should
not) occur after instruction has occurred. Determine whether and to what extent
generalization is desirable for all of the behavior changes listed, and include
a prioritized list of the variations of the target behavior you would like to
see as a generalized outcome.  What are some of the ethical, practical and
sociocultural considerations to explore when selecting target behaviors?

Question #2

Using the various
strategies and tactics for promoting generalized behavior change listed in
figure 28.4 of your text on p.626, design a behavior change plan that promotes
generalization of behavior change. Use the target behavior(s) which you
identified on the first Discussion Board this week. Be sure to describe whether
or not you will use each of the different strategies and tactics listed in
figure 28.4, and why or why not they would be appropriate to use in your
specific example.  Include a brief analysis of any practical, sociocultural,
or ethical considerations to explore.

Discussion
from 1^st Discussion board:

 
         Functional communication training (FCT)
is a differential reinforcement method in which a person is shown an
alternative response which results in the same reinforcement identified as
causing problem behavior (Carr, 2011). In addition, Cooper, Heron and Heward
(2007) explain that FCT is an antecedent intervention that teaches functional
communication to decrease problem behaviors. Problematic behavior is put on extinction.
Functional communication training objective is to establish a better
communication behavior to compete with problematic behaviors. FCT changes
alternative behaviors by motivating operations or establishing operations.
Communication response may vary or be a combination of strategies for a single
person, but the key function remains (Wacker D. P, 2005). It aims at improving
communication with others.

 
A teacher to teach a student who shouts every time he wants to go to a toilet
can use functional Communication Training (FCT) method or behavior change. The
student causes disruption and is often teased by other students. The teacher
should teach that student a non-verbal communicative form such as using
gestures or pictures. The student can use that sign to request for permission
every time he wants to go to the toilet. Shouting is embarrassing and causes
disruption. Sign/gesture will be better in a learning environment because many
can recognize it and the task is easy to do.