There
are many tools from a behaviorist view that can be used to encourage more
appropriate behavior in the situation involving Lisa and the group. To
encourage productive behavior the teacher could use both positive and negative
reinforcement. One way to use positive reinforcement would be to praise the
group or Lisa individually when performing on task. By praising the group, Lisa
might learn by watching what behavior is appropriate, and by praising Lisa
personally it might encourage her to stay on task. Furthermore, stickers could
be given to on task students or more recess time could be rewarded to students
demonstrating appropriate behavior. The teacher could also use negative reinforcement
by taking away privileges from Lisa such as recess time or previously earned
stickers.
Self-efficacy
could also play a role in why Lisa is acting inappropriately in the group. One
possibility is that Lisa has a low self-efficacy because she does not
understand her responsibility in the group and therefor she does not think she
can perform to meet the standards. One way to combat this would to be to go
over the job descriptions for each member of the group and make sure Lisa knows
what is expected from her. Another way to help Lisa raise her self-efficacy
would be to help her understand how to self-regulate. The teacher could
encourage and help Lisa set goals for herself and eventually Lisa will
eventually begin setting her own goals. When Lisa understand her responsibility
and begins to reach the goals she sets for herself her behavior might improve
because she understands what is expected of her performance.
