BEHAVIOUR

Case Study Solution: Behaviour in School



Case Study Solution: Behaviour in School

Introduction

A large number of behavioural theories and models have been developed for understanding and improving the behaviours of school going children. It is essential to fully understand the problems faced by a child, in order to ensure proper treatment for him or her. This essay analyses the behavioural problems faced by Jason, who is in year 2 and 5 year old. Various behavioural theories and models are used for describing Jason's behavioural problems.

General Analysis of Case Study

A number of factors may be responsible for Jason's behaviour; for example, inappropriate handling of behaviour at his school, difficult family relationships or traumatic experiences in his early life. Jason is full of energy and this is the reason why he faces problems in sitting still in class most of the times. He does not feel motivated to go to school, most probably because he does not like the school/class room environment or the teaching methodology used. Most behavioural problems seen in the school children fall under one of the two categories: firstly, the children want to escape from something or task which they find boring and secondly, they want to have some desirable alternative. From the case of Jason, it is revealed that he disrupts the class because he does not find interest in the class room activities. Also he knows that as a result of his distracting activities, the teacher would send him for the “time out corner”, during which he can enjoy the books of birds and nature, which he prefers over the class activities.

Another important issue mentioned in the case study is that “he distracts others by making silly noises, throwing things around or making others laugh”. Most probably, Jason does this in order to seek the attention of his peers and teacher. Thus, Jason tries to communicate his problem to others that he is getting bored, or he is tired, or he needs a break from whatever the class is doing. Also, he does not enjoy playing or eating in the group; this aspect of Jason's personality reveals that either he does not like the company of his peers due to inferiority complex, or due to some other reason.

Applying Behaviour Theories to the Case Study

According to the theory of behaviourism, the learner is passive and is affected by the external or environmental stimuli. The learning, according to this theory is defined as the change in the observable behaviours. Although, at the starting point, the learner is like a clean slate, but the positive and negative reinforcement shapes his behaviour (Learning Theories. com, 2007). As this theory does not consider the cognitive theories responsible for the behaviour of a person, only reinforcements are considered responsible. The aspect which would be reinforced would get strength, while the one which is ignored will be disappeared. Applying this theory to Jason's behaviour would lead to the fact that internal will or intention of Jason has no role in his behaviours, ...