Which of the following is not an example of behavior modification technique ?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Empty Chair Technique
Behaviour modification changes a faulty behaviour by changing what follows it: unwanted behaviour is made unpleasant or is ignored, and wanted behaviour is rewarded.
Option (1) Negative Reinforcement — A behaviour modification technique (Incorrect). It is one of the two major techniques: responses that help one get rid of, avoid or escape a painful stimulus are strengthened, as one learns to wear woollen clothes to avoid the cold.
Option (2) Aversive Conditioning — A behaviour modification technique (Incorrect). The other major technique: the undesired response is repeatedly paired with an aversive consequence, as an alcoholic given a mild shock while smelling alcohol comes to find the smell aversive.
Option (3) Empty Chair Technique — Not a behaviour modification technique (Correct). It is a technique of Gestalt therapy, which aims to increase self-awareness and self-acceptance. The client speaks to an empty chair as if a person, or a part of herself or himself, were sitting in it, and so brings blocked emotions into awareness; nothing is rewarded or punished (see the Note).
Option (4) Token Economy — A behaviour modification technique (Incorrect). A person is given a token every time a wanted behaviour occurs; the tokens are later exchanged for a reward such as an outing or a treat.
Note: The concept in Option (3), the ‘empty chair technique’, is not in NCERT (2025-26), which names Gestalt therapy but not this technique; explained here for the benefit of the students.
NCERT (2025-26): “Behaviour Therapy … Negative reinforcement and aversive conditioning are the two major techniques of behaviour modification. As you have already studied in Class XI, responses that lead organisms to get rid of painful stimuli or avoid and escape from them provide negative reinforcement. For example, one learns to put on woollen clothes, burn firewood or use electric heaters to avoid the unpleasant cold weather. One learns to move away from dangerous stimuli because they provide negative reinforcement. Aversive conditioning refers to repeated association of undesired response with an aversive consequence. For example, an alcoholic is given a mild electric shock and asked to smell the alcohol. With repeated pairings the smell of alcohol is aversive as the pain of the shock is associated with it and the person will give up alcohol. If an adaptive behaviour occurs rarely, positive reinforcement is given to increase the deficit. For example, if a child does not do homework regularly, positive reinforcement may be used by the child’s mother by preparing the child’s favourite dish whenever s/he does homework at the appointed time. The positive reinforcement of food will increase the behaviour of doing homework at the appointed time. Persons with behavioural problems can be given a token as a reward every time a wanted behaviour occurs. The tokens are collected and exchanged for a reward such as an outing for the patient or a treat for the child. This is known as token economy.” |