An Exploratory Study of Operant Conditioning as a Nursing Interventive Approach in Modification of a Patient's Behavior Problem in Eating

摘要

A discussion of the use of operant conditioning or behavior therapy as an option in modifying patient behavior. A review of scientific literature on operant conditioning is presented. The paper discusses the use of operant conditioning in modifying the eating problem of a hospitalized mental patient. Over an 8 week period, the patient's food intake was monitored and operant conditioning techniques were applied. Attempts were made to identify antecedent stimuli, although a change in his medical program skewed the research results. The patient was helped to acquire more adaptive behavior and to recognize the relationship between behavior and rewards as shown by his increased food intake. Potential assets and liabilities are discussed, and assets are concluded to greatly outweigh potential liabilities of behavior therapy or operant conditioning to help the patient to modify maladaptive behavior. A bibliography is included.