Behaviour reduction techniques
In psychology there are many techniques that have been suggested that can be use in behaviour change or behaviour reduction. Among the techniques that have been suggested is use of aversive technique in behaviour reduction. Aversive technique with regard to behaviour reduction entails use of negative form of punishment to induce a change in the behaviours of an individual. Proponent of this technique of behaviour reduction has suggested that when the technique is applied immediately the unwanted behaviour occurs there is probability that the unwanted behaviour may not occur again.
Aversive technique may take simple forms for instance an irritating thing or may be physically damaging. Change or reduction of behaviour is brought about by the effectiveness of the unpleasant behaviour. Aversive technique may take to forms either unconditioned aversive stimuli where the aversive results to discomfort or even pain and may be harmful biological. The other form is the conditioned aversive stimuli which in the initial stages it is almost neutral but becomes aversive with continued administration (Yin, 2009).
They may include verbal statements of warning or gestures. While aversive technique of behaviour reduction may to some point be effective it has some short comings. Aversive technique may not always give positive result since the person to whom it is directed may become used to punishment and end up not reducing the unwanted behaviour. In addition to that, it may cause some biological harm which may be traumatic to the person to whom unwanted behaviour should be reduced. In my opinion aversive technique of behaviour reduction is not the most effective one and should be resulted to after other techniques have been exhausted (Rollnick, 2005).
An ethical practitioner has the responsibility of exploring other forms of treatment that would be best and be effective as a behaviour reduction technique. The practitioner would consider other avenue of behaviour reduction for instance the use of reward system to encourage the wanted behaviour and a s a result reducing the unwanted behaviour. A practitioner would consider rewarding a patient by giving him or has gifts that would invoke good behaviour. When the patient results to bad behaviour the gifts or the reward are withdrawn. This will encourage the good behaviour they are cultivating and at the same time reduce the occurrence of the unwanted behaviour (O'Donohue, 2003)
The practitioner would also consider taking the patient through therapies to establish the cause of behaviour. After establishing the cause of the unwanted behaviour, the practitioner will take the patient through therapy that will help him or her counter the unwanted behaviour. There are other many techniques that a practitioner can use to address the issue of reducing behaviour for instance restitution, overcorrection, physical restraint and medication among others (Rollnick, 2005).
The practitioner has the capacity to build skill and at the same time reduce behaviour. Various well conducted researches show that a skill that can be built as a way of reducing un unwanted behaviour. Training is conducted with the main objective being teaching skills that the patient will engage in constructive activities that will keep them away from their daily activities that lead them to the unwanted behaviour (Rollnick, 2005)
For instance a programme in incorporated in the curriculum which teaches about alcohol abuse and way to deal with peer pressure on issue with regard to alcohol misuse there where skill are taught which involve active learning for teen who have a problem with drinking. In conclusion we find that behaviour reduction technique should be positive not once that can harm an individual. Practitioners have a variety of option to choose from the most effective technique of behaviour reduction and skills can be taught as a way of reducing an unwanted behavior (Yin, 2009).
References
Yin, S. A. (2009). Low stress handling, restraint and behavior modification of dogs & cats: Techniques for developing patients who love their visits. Davis, CA: CattleDog Pub.
O'Donohue, W. T., Fisher, J. E., & Hayes, S. C. (2003). Cognitive behavior therapy: Applying empirically supported techniques in your practice. Hoboken, N.J: John Wiley & Sons.
Rollnick, S., Mason, P., & Butler, C. (2009). Health behavior change: A guide for practitioners. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.
