Behavior management

Behavior management, similar to behavior modification, is a less-intensive form of behavior therapy. Unlike behavior modification, which focuses on changing behavior, behavior management focuses on maintaining positive habits and behaviors and reducing negative ones. Behavior management skills are especially useful for teachers and educators, healthcare workers, and those working in supported living communities. This form of management aims to help professionals oversee and guide behavior management in individuals and groups toward fulfilling, productive, and socially acceptable behaviors. Behavior management can be accomplished through modeling, rewards, or punishment. Influential behavior management researchers B.F. Skinner and Carl Rogers both take different approaches to managing behavior. Skinner claimed that anyone can manipulate behavior by identifying what a person finds rewarding. Once the rewards are known, they can be given in exchange for good behavior. Skinner called this "Positive Reinforcement Psychology." Rogers proposed that the desire to behave appropriately must come before addressing behavioral problems. This is accomplished by teaching the individual about morality, including why one should do what is right. Rogers held that a person must have an internal awareness of right and wrong. Many principles and techniques are the same as in behavior modification. However, they are considerably different and administered less often. Behavior management is often applied by a classroom teacher as a form of behavioral engineering, in order to raise students' retention of material and produce higher yields of student work completion. This also helps to reduce classroom disruption and places more focus on building self-control and self-regulating a calm emotional state.