Labeling bias and attitudes toward behavior modification revisited.

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Behavioral Science
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• A 1977 study found that labeling behavior modification procedures as "humanistic education" led to more favorable ratings than calling them "behavior modification."
• This suggested that behavioral terminology might be perceived as dehumanizing, potentially reducing acceptance and utilization of effective treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To replicate the 1977 Woolfolk et al. study with a contemporary student population.
• To investigate whether labeling bias still affects attitudes toward behavior modification techniques.

Main Methods:

• 144 undergraduate students viewed a 10-minute videotape of a therapist treating an autistic child using behavior modification procedures.
• One group was told the procedures were "humanistic educative therapy," while the other group was informed they were "behavior modification."
• Participants rated the procedures and the therapist's qualities after viewing.

Main Results:

• No significant difference was found in the evaluations of the videotaped procedures between the "humanistic educative therapy" and "behavior modification" conditions.
• Both groups perceived the procedures and the therapist favorably, regardless of the terminology used.

Conclusions:

• Negative attitudes towards behavior modification appear to have diminished over the past two decades.
• There is now wider public acceptance of behavioral treatments compared to the time of the original study.
• The potential for labeling bias to hinder the adoption of behavioral interventions seems to have decreased.