Behavior Modification

Behavior Modification is a comprehensive, practical presentation of the principles of behavior modification and guidelines for their application. It introduces forms of behavior modification ranging from helping children learn necessary life skills, to training pets, to solving personal behavior problems. It teaches practical “how-to” skills, including discerning long-term effects; designing, implementing, and evaluating behavioral programs; interpreting behavioral episodes; observing and recording behaviors; and recognizing instances of reinforcement, extinction, and punishment.

The material is presented in an engaging, readable format that assumes no prior knowledge of behavior modification or psychology. Specific cases and examples clarify issues and make the principles real. Guidelines throughout provide a ready source to use as a reference in applying the principles. Questions for Learning, an average of 25 per chapter, are included to support students in checking their knowledge of the material when preparing for tests and exams. Application Exercises are also included in most chapters to assist students in the development of the practical skills they will need to complete behavior modification projects effectively.

Behavior Modification is ideal for courses in Behavior Modification, Applied Behavior Analysis, Behavior Therapy, the Psychology of Learning, and related areas; and for students and practitioners of various helping professions―such as clinical psychology, counselling, education, medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, psychiatric nursing, psychiatry, social work, speech therapy, and sport psychology―who are concerned directly with enhancing various forms of behavior development.

Garry Martin is internationally known for his nine co-authored or co-edited books, 177 journal articles, and 106 invited conference presentations in six countries on various areas in Behavioral Modification, including intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, and sport psychology. He has received numerous honors and awards including the Distinguished Contribution Award from the Canadian Psychological Association and an induction into the Royal Society of Canada.

Joseph Pear was internationally known for his work in both Basic and Applied Behavior Analysis. In addition to co-authoring this book with Garry, he has authored two other books and authored or co-authored 12 book chapters, six encyclopedia entries, seven published conference proceedings, two invited newsletter contributions, 60 invited conference presentations and symposia, and 57 peer-reviewed journal articles in diverse areas of Basic and Applied Behavior Analysis. He has received numerous awards and distinctions, including being elected a fellow in both Division 6 (“Society for Behavioral Neuroscience and Comparative Psychology”) and Division 25 (“Behavior Analysis”) of the American Psychological Association.