Identify a behavior in the healthcare setting that you would like to change that involves extinguishing an
undesirable behavior and replacing it with a healthier behavior. Describe how the behavior could be changed using the
principles of a particular learning theory. Then describe how the same behavior could be changed using
a different theory. Depending on the behavior to be changed and replaced, you might also discuss why
one plan might work better for men than women, or for younger people than older people.

Identify behaviors in the healthcare setting that need to change

The behavior in the healthcare setting that, if given an opportunity, I would like to
change is getting cardiac patients to reduce their high-fat diet and eat
healthier foods. Behaviorism is one of the learning theories that can be used to describe how the
behavior could be changed. Behaviorism theory of learning argues that all behaviors are learned
through interactions with the environment. This implies that inherited factors
have very little influence on behavior.

Behaviorism theory of learning

Extinction is one of the principles of behaviorism positing that when reinforcement for a
previously learned behavior is withdrawn, the behavior fades away. In this scenario, when individuals learn about healthier foods, they forget high-fat diets, and they end up living healthier lives. The second principle is punishers, which is a consequence that minimizes
the chances of a behavior happening in the future. For instance, enlightening
patients that high-fat diet intake increases the risk of developing heart disease and stroke would
cause them to change behavior. The third principle is the immediacy of consequences, which
follows behavior closely and affects behavior than delayed consequences do.
This principle is associated with effective learning, increased motivation, and increased cognitive
mastery.

The social constructivism theory of learning

This behavior can also be changed using the social constructivism theory of learning. The theory holds that knowledge
develops through social interactions and language use. This means that learning is a shared rather than
an individual experience. Therefore, individuals should be encouraged to try and even make
mistakes rather than minimizing or even avoiding them. The social constructivism theory of learning could work for women than men. This is
because women tend to interact more, especially in long conversations, than men. Women use an average of 20,000 words a day while men use only 7,000 words daily. APA