Influence of behavior modification techniques on students' behavior in secondary schools in Bureti Sub- County: Kericho County

Abstract

Students‟ indiscipline behaviors in secondary schools are bullying, drug abuse and exam cheating. These behaviors not only affect the students‟ health issues but also performance and reduce teacher directed instructional time. The study was guided by four objectives; to determine behavior modification techniques used by teachers and deputy principals in dealing with students behaviours in Bureti sub county secondary schools, to find out shaping techniques used by secondary schools teachers and deputy principals in Bureti Sub County to deal with students‟ behavior, to determine token economy techniques employed by teachers and deputy principals in Bureti Sub County secondary schools to deal with students‟ behavior, to establish utilization of praise techniques by secondary schools teachers and deputy principals in Bureti sub- county on student‟s behavior. The research design of this study was survey. This study employed Skinner‟s behavior modification theory which advocates positive reinforcement as form of modifying behaviors. Mixed methods approach that had both quantitative and qualitative approach was used. The study population comprised 520 teachers from a total number of 52 public secondary schools in Bureti Sub County of Kericho County. Krejcie and Morgan sample size determination table and Simple random sampling were used to select 18 public secondary schools. From each randomly selected school 18 deputy principals and 180 teachers were involved. To determine reliability of the instruments Pearson product correlation coefficient(R) of 0.85 was used. Validity of the instruments was ascertained by pilot testing the questionnaire and also by seeking expert judgment from two university supervisors. Data analysis was carried out using means, standard deviation and ANOVA at 5% level of significance. The study used both descriptive and inferential statistics. The output was presented on tables, percentages and line graphs. Qualitative data was analyzed using thematic framework. The study findings revealed that shaping techniques, token and praise influence students‟ behaviors .The study further revealed that shaping was behavior modification technique often used by teachers to change drug abuse followed by praise and token economy. For bullying, teacher preferred token economy followed by shaping and praise. To control exam cheating behaviors teachers used praise followed by shaping and token economy. The null hypothesis was accepted that there was significant difference between experience and behavior modification techniques and second hypothesis was rejected that there was significant difference between academic qualification and behavior modification techniques. The study is significant in building on existing knowledge about students‟ management. It was recommended that MOE should organize workshops and seminars to equip teachers with behavior modification techniques shaping, token economy and praise that employ positive reinforcement as alternative to corporal punishment.