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Behavior Modification in the Mental Hospital

Assumptions and Criticisms
Published Online:https://doi.org/10.1176/ps.23.9.287

For many hospitalized patients, the author says, behavior modification is a promising but controversial technique that is based on questionable assumptions. He examines some of those assumptions, describes the use of the technique at Norwich Hospital, and discusses six of the most common criticisms. He concludes that behavior modification, by requiring careful observation and recording of what is going on, serves to increase interaction among staff and patients.

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