Which of the following best defines "behavior modification"?

The definition of behavior modification centers on the systematic application of principles of reinforcement and punishment to increase or decrease specific behaviors. This approach is grounded in behaviorist theory, which asserts that behaviors can be shaped and changed through controlled consequences. Techniques associated with behavior modification may include positive reinforcement (rewarding desired behaviors), negative reinforcement (removing an unpleasant stimulus to encourage a behavior), and punishment (applying consequences to reduce undesired behaviors).

This method is widely used in various settings, such as educational environments and therapeutic contexts, to promote desired behavior changes, making it applicable across a range of issues from developmental disorders to behavioral problems in children and adults. The focus on observable behaviors and the manipulation of environmental variables distinguishes behavior modification from strategies aimed solely at skill enhancement, emotional resilience, or cognitive restructuring, which may not explicitly involve direct behavioral consequences.