Which approach is typical in behavior modification?

In behavior modification, the primary focus is on the systematic application of principles to alter behavior. Strengthening, maintaining, or weakening target behaviors are central concepts in this approach. This entails recognizing specific behaviors that need to be increased or decreased and then applying strategies to achieve those goals.

For example, if a child displays a desirable behavior, such as sharing, behavior modification techniques would focus on strengthening this behavior through positive reinforcement. Conversely, if a child exhibits undesirable behavior, strategies would be employed to weaken that behavior, either by providing consequences for the behavior or by teaching alternative, more appropriate behaviors.

The other approaches mentioned may play a complementary role but do not fully encompass the essence of behavior modification. Ignoring undesirable behavior, while sometimes effective in certain contexts, does not actively work toward changing that behavior. Focusing only on positive behavior may overlook the need to address negative behaviors, and promoting group activities might be beneficial for social skills but does not specifically target individual behavior modification. Therefore, the systematic manipulation of behaviors through strengthening, maintaining, or weakening them is what defines typical behavior modification practices.