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Behavior in Children

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Submitted By chrismoe
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Intro Behavior in children can be complex as well as unpredictable. Adults can be the ideal role models however there are times children will display behaviors that are unwanted. The parents then have to find a way to modify and stop this undesirable behavior. This essay will discuss three ways to modify behavior in children: Motivation, Operant Conditioning and Classical Conditioning (positive and negative reinforcement with or without stimulus).Also included in this will be how these methods are used and which method is most effective.

Motivation
Motivation itself can be very rewarding from success in any accomplishment. This can be used for children and behavior. Behavior can be changed thru motivation such as the child getting a reward for good behavior. “Piaget discovered that children act on their own in the world and eventually will discover how the world works and what all is in it for them” (Olson & Hergenhahn, 2013). As Piaget suggested, when a child discovers what is in it for them they will willingly want to change the undesired behavior. Children are often swayed and motivated by rewards. If they know they will get something for displaying good behavior the undesired behavior will become less and less. Eventually the behavior will become extinct if the parent uses the motivator in a lengthier time frame. One must understand that children have psychological needs and motives. According to Deckers, “ For human motivation, biological and psychological motivates push an individual into action while environmental prospects like incentives and goals pull an individual” (L. Deckers, 2010 pg.3) . Children are eager to have adults notice and approve of them, the besides the reward they will receive from the modification of their behavior; the motivation for this is the child’s psychological need. “The strength of the motive to belong determines the

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