Date of Award
1974
Document Type
Thesis
Department
Education
First Reader
Dr. Thurman Watson
Abstract
Even though this seems to be a relatively new area of education, as early as 1920 behavior modification has been used in correcting behavior.
J.B. Watson had four basic ideas in this area: 1. The educational response of fear could be conditioned. 2. It would transfer to stimuli other than the initial stimulus which caused the fear. 3. The fear would last over a period of time. 4. It could be unlearned.
These four items are very similar to the techniques used today in the modification program. Watson's experiment with a small child named Albert proved his above theories to be correct. The child was conditioned to associate a loud noise with the appearance of a harmless white rat. This association carried over to the fear of a rabbit, a dog, a fur coat, and cotton.
Recommended Citation
Cox, Lois, "Behavior Modification" (1974). Honors Theses. 427.
https://scholarlycommons.obu.edu/honors_theses/427