Alan E. Kazdin, Ph.D., former APA president, John M. Musser professor of psychology at Yale University and director of Yale's Parenting Center and Child Conduct Clinic, discussed the effectiveness of the use of some common parenting practices, such as spanking, in changing behavior in desired directions.
Dr. Kazdin suggested that while momentary suppression might occur, that the effects do not have permanence, do not teach desirable behavior, and can be responsible for developing collateral behaviors.
He suggested alternative methods and in the interview explicitly credited the research field of applied behavior analysis in identifying these more effective methods,
"...Dr. Kazdin. Positive reinforcement for alternative behaviors is extremely effective. This is not just rewards or points but the use of antecedents (what comes before behavior), behavior (shaping and gradually developing, repeated practice), and consequences (e.g., specially delivered praise).There is a whole area of research (applied behavior analysis) devoted to this and some parenting books, too..."At the 36th ABA International annual convention in San Antonio, Texas, Dr. Kazdin will be one of the recipients of the 2010 Society for the Advancement of Behavior Analysis (SABA) awards; he will be presented with the Award for Effective Presentation of Behavior Analysis in the Mass Media, and his presentation will be, "Integrating Behavior Analysis Into Psychology and Public Life".
For further reading
Parenting Expert Warns Against Physical Punishment
Released: 5/5/2010 11:00 AM EDT
Source: American Psychological Association (APA)
Some of the Slate "Family" articles by Alan E. Kazdin, and Alan E. Kazdin and Carlo E. Rotella
Tiny Tyrants: How to really change your kid's behavior. Apr 10, 2008
Family Feuds: How to make "timeouts" less like bar fights. Jun 27, 2008
Spare the Rod: Why you shouldn't hit your kids. Sep 24, 2008
Why Can't Johnny Jump Tall Buildings?:Parents expect way too much from their kids. Nov 07, 2008
No, You Shut Up: What to do when your kid provokes you into an inhuman rage. Feb 05, 2009
Plan B: What to do when all else has failed to change your kid's behavior. Sep 17, 2009
Like a Rat: Animal research and your child's behavior Nov 12, 2009
If You're Good, I'll Buy You a Toy: The difference between bribing your child and rewarding your child. March 26, 2010
Kazdin, A. E. (2011). Single-case research designs: Methods for clinical and applied settings. New York: Oxford University Press.
© 2010 Regina G. Claypool-Frey
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