Image of Behaviour Modification: A Critical Analysis

Abstract

Behaviour modification has not been favourably received either in the lay or professional communities, and this article examines critically some of the factors which may predispose a negative attitude to the use of behaviour modification techniques. Specifically, the apprehension regarding behavioural control, the conception of a deterministic/mechanistic model of man, .the presentation of behaviour modification programmes, the increasing specialization and isolation within behaviour modification, and finally, misconceptions and misinformation regarding behaviour modification are identified as five principal determinants of a negative bias against behaviour modification. Finally, it is suggested that adherence to a social learning theory paradigm, together with an increased concentration on the self-regu/ation of behaviour might facilitate a more positive attitude towards, and greater acceptance of, behaviour modification techniques in general.S. Afr. J. Psychol., 1979, 9: 98 -103 Die idee van gedragsmodifikasie het nog in lekekringe nog in professionele kringe gunstige reaksie uitgelok. In hierdie artikel word sommige van die faktore wat kan bydra tot die negatiewe reaksie op gedragsmodifikasietegnieke, krities ondersoek. Daar word meer spesifiek gefokus op die volgende vyf faktore wat 'n negatiewe vooroordeel ten opsigte van gedragsmodifikasie skep, naamlik: die kommer oor gedragskontrole; die idee van 'n deterministies-meganistiese mensmodel; die aanbieding van gedragsmodifikasieprogramme; toenemende spesialisasie en isolasie binne die terrein van gedragsmodifikasie en wanopvattinge en oningeligtheid met betrekking tot gedragsmodifikasie. Daar word aan die hand gedoen dat die navolging van die sosiale leerteoretiese paradigma, tesame met 'n daadwerklike beklemtoning van die self-regu/ering van gedrag, daartoe kan bydra dat 'n meer positiewe houding teenoor en 'n groter aanvaarding van gedragsmodifikasietegnieke kan ontwikkel.

A factor analytic study on the validity of a union commitment scale.

“…Also union members were drawn from a blue-collar labor force and, therefore, may be more alienated from the process of work (Bosquet, 1977). At the lower levels of the organizational hierarchy there is less opportunity for work and organizational involvement (Barling, 1983).…”