Influence of behavior modification techniques on students’ behaviors in secondary schools in bureti sub-county; kericho county

This study investigated influence of behavior modification techniques of shaping as employed by teachers in dealing with students’ bullying, drug abuse and exam cheating in public secondary schools in Kenya. The 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 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. Two research questions and two null hypotheses guided the study, and questionnaires and interviews were used to collect data. Data collected was analyzed using mean, frequencies, standard deviation and ANOVA for the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The output presented on tables, frequencies and percentages. Qualitative data was analyzed using thematic framework. The study findings revealed that behavior modification techniques used were shaping, token economy and praise techniques. The null hypotheses were rejected. Further shaping techniques was effective in influencing drug abuse, bullying and exam cheating behaviors among students. The study recommended that the Ministry of Education Science and Technology should organize Workshops and seminars to equip teachers with more knowledge on use of behavior modification techniques especially shaping techniques that use positive reinforcement.