6. Behavior Modification
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Reading (45 seconds)
Behavior Modification
Individuals often modify their behavior based on what they have learned about the possible consequences of their actions. When an individual learns through experience that a certain behavior results in pleasant consequences, that behavior is likely to be repeated. An unpleasant consequence, on the other hand, discourages further repetition of the behavior. While behavior modification can be observed in experiments, it also occurs frequently in everyday settings, when individuals change their behavior based on what they have learned about the consequences of that behavior.
Listening
Preparation time: 30 seconds
speaking time: 1 minute
Texts
This happens all the time with kids in schools.
Say, there’s a little boy or girl who’s just starting school. Well, they’re not really used to the rules about proper behavior for a classroom. So, at the beginning, they might, I don’t know, interrupt the teacher, walk around the classroom when they are supposed to be sitting down. You know, just misbehaving in general.
Ok, but what happens? Well, the teacher gets angry with them when they act this way. They may get punished. They have to sit at their desks when everyone else is allowed to go outside and play. And they certainly don’t like that. Soon, they’ll learn that this kind of behavior gets them in trouble. They also learn when they raise their hand to talk to the teacher and sit quietly and pay attention during class, they are rewarded. The teacher tells them she’s proud of them and maybe puts little happy face stickers on their homework. Now their behavior gets a good reaction from the teacher. The kids learn to always act this way in class and not behave the way they used to.
Explanation
Reading part summary
The title of the reading passage: behavior modification
The definition of behavior modification: Individuals modify their behavior based on what they have learned about the possible consequences of their actions.
Listening part summary
Behavior modification takes place with kids in schools.
For example, kids are not familiar with all the rules in school when they are just starting school.
Therefore, they might disturb class, interrupt the teacher or walk around the classroom.
When kids misbehave, the teacher gets angry and punishes the kids.
The kids don’t like this punishment, and they modify their behaviors not to misbehave.
Not only that, kids also learn that good behaviors such as raising their hand to talk to the teacher and paying attention during class is rewarding. Kids learn to modify their behavior in order to get a good reaction from the teacher.
Sample answer
The reading passage introduces the concept of behavior modification, which involves altering behavior through various strategies.
In the lecture, the professor provides an example to illustrate this concept, focusing on behavior modification techniques employed in schools, particularly with young children. When children first start school, they may not be familiar with all the rules and expectations, leading to disruptive behaviors such as interrupting the teacher or wandering around the classroom. In response, teachers may employ disciplinary measures, such as punishment, to address misbehavior.
As a result of experiencing these consequences, children learn to modify their behavior to avoid punishment. Additionally, they also learn that positive behaviors, such as raising their hand to speak or paying attention in class, elicit favorable responses from teachers, such as praise or rewards. Consequently, children begin to adjust their behavior to seek positive reinforcement and avoid negative consequences.
Behavior Modification
Individuals often modify their behavior based on what they have learned about the possible consequences of their actions. When an individual learns through experience that a certain behavior results in pleasant consequences, that behavior is likely to be repeated. An unpleasant consequence, on the other hand, discourages further repetition of the behavior. While behavior modification can be observed in experiments, it also occurs frequently in everyday settings, when individuals change their behavior based on what they have learned about the consequences of that behavior.
Listening
Preparation time: 30 seconds
speaking time: 1 minute
Texts
This happens all the time with kids in schools.
Say, there’s a little boy or girl who’s just starting school. Well, they’re not really used to the rules about proper behavior for a classroom. So, at the beginning, they might, I don’t know, interrupt the teacher, walk around the classroom when they are supposed to be sitting down. You know, just misbehaving in general.
Ok, but what happens? Well, the teacher gets angry with them when they act this way. They may get punished. They have to sit at their desks when everyone else is allowed to go outside and play. And they certainly don’t like that. Soon, they’ll learn that this kind of behavior gets them in trouble. They also learn when they raise their hand to talk to the teacher and sit quietly and pay attention during class, they are rewarded. The teacher tells them she’s proud of them and maybe puts little happy face stickers on their homework. Now their behavior gets a good reaction from the teacher. The kids learn to always act this way in class and not behave the way they used to.
Explanation
Reading part summary
The title of the reading passage: behavior modification
The definition of behavior modification: Individuals modify their behavior based on what they have learned about the possible consequences of their actions.
Listening part summary
Behavior modification takes place with kids in schools.
For example, kids are not familiar with all the rules in school when they are just starting school.
Therefore, they might disturb class, interrupt the teacher or walk around the classroom.
When kids misbehave, the teacher gets angry and punishes the kids.
The kids don’t like this punishment, and they modify their behaviors not to misbehave.
Not only that, kids also learn that good behaviors such as raising their hand to talk to the teacher and paying attention during class is rewarding. Kids learn to modify their behavior in order to get a good reaction from the teacher.
Sample answer
The reading passage introduces the concept of behavior modification, which involves altering behavior through various strategies.
In the lecture, the professor provides an example to illustrate this concept, focusing on behavior modification techniques employed in schools, particularly with young children. When children first start school, they may not be familiar with all the rules and expectations, leading to disruptive behaviors such as interrupting the teacher or wandering around the classroom. In response, teachers may employ disciplinary measures, such as punishment, to address misbehavior.
As a result of experiencing these consequences, children learn to modify their behavior to avoid punishment. Additionally, they also learn that positive behaviors, such as raising their hand to speak or paying attention in class, elicit favorable responses from teachers, such as praise or rewards. Consequently, children begin to adjust their behavior to seek positive reinforcement and avoid negative consequences.