Behavior Modification, 11th Edition

Behavior Modification: What It Is and How to Do It is a comprehensive, practical presentation of the principles of behavior modification and guidelines for their application. Appropriate for university students and for the general reader, it teaches forms of behavior modification ranging from helping children learn necessary life skills to training pets, to solving personal behavior problems. It teaches practical "how-to" skills, including: discerning long-term effects; designing, implementing, and evaluating behavioral programs; interpreting behavioral episodes; observing and recording behaviors; and recognizing instances of reinforcement, extinction, and punishment.

Behavior Modification is ideal for courses in Behavior Modification, Applied Behavior Analysis, Behavior Therapy, the Psychology of Learning, and related areas; and for students and practitioners of various helping professions (such as clinical psychology, counselling, education, medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, psychiatric nursing, psychiatry, social work, speech therapy, and sport psychology) who are concerned directly with enhancing various forms of behavior development. The material is presented in an interesting, readable format that assumes no prior knowledge of behavior modification or psychology. Specific cases and examples clarify issues and make the principles real. Guidelines throughout provide a ready source to use as a reference in applying the principles.Online resources, including an instructor’s manual, are available at

“"Martin and Pear once again deliver on the promise of their title. The authors have tirelessly evolved this classic handbook to keep it as relevant today as when originally published. Probably the only behaviour modificationhandbook around that keeps alive the view shared by many that applied behaviour analysis is relevant across a wide variety of clinical populations and applied contexts. The book is filled with implementation guidelines and analyses of case studies making it the perfect companion to prospective behaviour modifiers eager to get their feet wet in the field." - Dr. Javier Viru”

"Martin and Pear once again deliver on the promise of their title. The authors have tirelessly evolved this classic handbook to keep it as relevant today as when originally published. Probably the only behaviour modification handbook around that keeps alive the view shared by many that applied behaviour analysis is relevant across a wide variety of clinical populations and applied contexts. The book is filled with implementation guidelines and analyses of case studies making it the perfect companion to prospective behaviour modifiers eager to get their feet wet in the field." - Dr. Javier Virués-Ortega, BCBA-D, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain

"Martin and Pear’s textbook is the internationally recognized standard for an introductory course in behavior modification. It is well laid out, strait forward, and accessible. It has lots of practical examples and extensive materials for instructors to use. After eleven editions, it is tried and tested!" - Peter Sturmey, The Graduate Center and Queens College, City University of New York, USA

"Martin and Pear have authored the definitive volume on principles of behavior modification. This volume is a "must have" that provides a sound basis for applied behavior analysis and applications of behavior therapy in general. The application of this volume is outstanding, with a potential impact throughout healthcare, education, and many other fields. I keep a previous version of this book within arm’s reach of my desk and call upon it frequently due to its breadth and clear explanations of basic principles. It is an excellent resource for educators, students, practitioners, as well as established researchers." - Henry S. Roane, Upstate Medical University, USA

"This textbook has seen many revisions. It covers the full cycle of behaviour modification and guidelines for a broad range of applications, from parenting and child management, to psychological problems, better self-management, to behavioural community psychology. Taking a practical approach, the book focuses on “how-to” skills, including discerning long-term effects; designing, implementing, and evaluating behavioural programmes; interpreting behavioural episodes; observing and recording behaviours; and recognising instances of reinforcement, extinction, and punishment." - L. A. Reisch & F. C. Doebbe, Journal of Consumer Policy

Garry Martin is internationally known for his eight co-authored or co-edited books and 175 journal articles and 106 invited conference presentations in six countries on various areas in Behavioral Modification, including intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, and sport psychology. He has received numerous honors and awards including induction into the Royal Society of Canada and Distinguished Contribution Award from the Canadian Psychological Assocation.

Joseph Pear is internationally known for his work in both Basic and Applied Behavior Analysis. In addition to co-authoring this book with Garry, he has authored two other books and authored or co-authored 12 book chapters, six encyclopedia entries, seven published conference proceedings, two invited newsletter contributions, 60 invited conference presentations and symposia, and 57 peer-reviewed journal articles in diverse areas of basic and applied behavior analysis. He has received numerous awards and distinctions, including being elected a fellow in Divisions six ("Society for Behavioral Neuroscience and Comparative Psychology") and 25 ("Behavior Analysis") of the American Psychological Association.

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