Behaviour Therapy

Behavioural interventions include reinforcement, modelling, shaping, response cost ( the loss of positive reinforcement for certain behaviour ), time out, differential reinforcement of other behaviour, stimulus control, exposure, systematic desensitization, contingency contract, and assertion and social skills training.

Modelling
Through modeling, observation, and then imitation, elder develop new behaviors. Modeling should be as simple as possible for more elder persons. To use modeling effectively, you must determine whether an elder has the capacity to observe and then imitate the model.
modeling is influenced by three factors:
1) the characteristics of the model (competent, nurturing, supportive, fun, and interesting)
2) the characteristics of the observer
3) the positive or negative consequences associated with the behavior.
Elders are also more likely to imitate behavior that results in a positive consequence.

Shaping

Waiting for the appropriate target behavior or something close to that behavior to occur before reinforcing the behavior is referred to as shaping. Shaping can be used to establish behaviors that are not routinely exhibited.
Steps:
Select a target behavior and define it.
Observe how often the behavior is exhibited.
Select reinforcers.
Decide on close approximations and reinforce successive approximations to the target behavior each time it occurs.
Reinforce the newly established behavior.
Reinforce the old behavior on a variable schedule, and begin reinforcing the new behavior on an every-time or continuous schedule. The key to successful shaping is to reinforce closer
Any behavior that remotely resembles the target behavior should initially be reinforced. Prompts can be used and then faded. Shaping can be used for all kinds of behavior in the classroom, including academics. Steps toward successive approximation, however, must be carefully thought out; otherwise, behaviors that are not working toward the desired goal may inadvertently be reinforced.