10 | Attending and Planned Ignoring: Using Attention to Shape Child Behavior – with Dr. Alan Kazdin

Dr. Kazdin’s presentation is a clear and authoritative introduction to two fundamental behavior modification techniques. The scientific basis is solid, drawing on well-established principles of operant conditioning, particularly positive reinforcement and extinction. The four conditions for effective attending (definition, type, immediacy, frequency) are practical and evidence-based, aligning with research on reinforcement schedules. Similarly, the four conditions for planned ignoring (definition, strategy, consistency, attending to positive opposite) are correctly presented, with the crucial caveat that ignoring alone is insufficient and can lead to an extinction burst. The explanation of why ignoring alone fails, referencing the intermittent reinforcement effect akin to slot machines, is particularly insightful and accurate. The video’s strength lies in its clarity and practical applicability, with concrete examples and step-by-step guidance. However, it lacks specific citations to research studies, which would enhance its scientific rigor. The content is somewhat basic for a professional audience but is well-suited for parents and caregivers. The title accurately reflects the content, and the video fulfills its educational objectives. Overall, it is a reliable and useful resource for anyone seeking to understand and apply these behavior change techniques.

The title accurately reflects the content, focusing on the two techniques of attending and planned ignoring as described by Dr. Kazdin.

8/10

The content is delivered by a recognized expert in clinical psychology and parenting, based on established behavioral principles (operant conditioning). The presentation is clear and structured, with practical examples. However, the video is an educational overview rather than a detailed scientific review, and specific research citations are not provided within the video itself.

Markers derived by PSI from the transcript: the creator did not define chapters.

• 00:00Introduction to attention as a powerful behavior change tool.
• 01:00Definition of attending and its dual role in reinforcing both positive and negative behaviors.
• 03:00Explanation of negativity bias and why we tend to attend to negative behaviors.
• 05:00Four conditions for effective attending: define behavior, choose attention type, immediacy, and frequency.
• 07:00Example of attending to cooperative play, emphasizing catching children being good.
• 09:00Introduction to planned ignoring and its definition.
• 11:00Four conditions for effective planned ignoring: define behavior, choose strategy, consistency, and attend to positive opposite.
• 13:00Example of ignoring whining and attending to polite requests.
• 15:00Explanation of why planned ignoring alone is ineffective, including extinction burst and intermittent reinforcement.
• 17:00Conclusion: the importance of combining attending and planned ignoring for lasting behavior change.

• Everyday Parenting: The ABCs of Child Rearing (Yale Online) — Course page for the Everyday Parenting course, which this video is part of.
• Everyday Parenting (Coursera) — Coursera version of the same course.
• Everyday Parenting Playlist (YouTube) — YouTube playlist containing all videos from the course.

• Everyday Parenting: The ABCs of Child Rearing (Yale Online) — The course page provides additional resources and context consistent with the video's content.