PART 1 BASIC PRINCIPLES

sleeps and every time the child begins to wet the bed, the sensor triggers the alarm which wakes the child (Rogers, 2002). The alarm method works on the basis of the child associating the release of urine with having to get up to go to the toilet. This is reinforced by the alarm as well as the support of family and practitioners around the child. Nurses should ensure that issues such as the disruption to sleep and how to handle this are taken into consideration if the method is to work.

Token economy system

The token economy system is another method of behaviour modification based on the principles of positive and negative reinforcement. The principle works by making the individual aware that when they carry out a desired behaviour they will be given a token (reinforcement), which can later be exchanged for material goods or other privileges. If it is not possible to provide tokens for material goods, a scoring board can be used instead. The token economy system has been highly recommended in psychiatric units where it has been found to be highly effective (Lin et al., 2006). The token economy works in line with positive reinforcement whereby you are rewarded or recognised for desired behaviour; behaviour that is not desired is not rewarded. The opening case study documented how the nurse gave patient Buba a gold reward sticker after he displayed calmness when having the injection administered. This exemplifies how the token economy can be applied to patients.

Social learning theory

Social learning theory originated from the work of Albert Bandura (1965- 1991) and is the third strand within the behaviourist approach. According to social learning theory learning can take place through observation and does not necessarily need the individual to be actively involved in the learning process. Bandura (1965) exemplified the role of observation in learning in famous study involving the 'Bobo Doll'. During the study, children sat an watched a film in which an adult behaved aggressively towards an inflate doll which bounced back every time it was hit. After the children watched the film they were taken to a playroom which had the same Bobo Doll placed in the centre. The children were left to play, throughout which. they were observed. It was found that the children within the experimental; group who had viewed the film were also aggressive during their play activities with the Bobo Doll. The control group who had not watched the film were not aggressive towards the Bobo Doll. Bandura concluded that the principles of operant conditioning could not explain the learning that had taken place, as there was no reinforcement of behaviour. This led Bandura to explain the learning that had occurred solely from observation; this is also referred to as vicarious learning.