Paradigms

• A paradigm is a pattern or model for interpreting information.

• Paradigms provide a set of rules and regulations for making sense of our environment.

• Paradigms act as filters that screen data.

• Data that agree with our perspective have an easy pathway to recognition.

• Data that disagree with our perspective are not perceived.

Paradigm Paralysis:

A Disorder of Terminal Certainty

Medical Model• Differential diagnosis assumes accurate

diagnosis leads to treatment.• Approach places the blame for inappropriate

behavior on the child.• Medical orientation makes it easy for a student’s

problem behavior to define the whole student.• Tendency to conceptualize interventions as being

medically-based.• Behaviors reflect normal functioning.• Behaviors are socially determined and socially

negotiated.

Oppositional Defiant Disorder(DSM-IV Criteria)

(1) Loses temper(2) Argues with adults(3) Actively defies or refuses to comply with adults’ requests or rules(4) Deliberately annoys people(5) Blames others for his or her mistakes or misbehavior(6) Touchy or easily annoyed by others(7) Angry and resentful(8) Spiteful or vindictive

Academic and Social Behavior

• Distinctions between academic and social behavior are arbitrary.

• Both are governed by the same principles of learning.

• Both respond to the same types of interventions.

Contextual Variation

• Behavior attains its meaning as a function of context.

• Social norms and mores effect the expression of behavior.

• Context serves as a cue to perform certain behaviors.

Context Meaning Purpose Desire

Personal Standards and Social Behavior

• Standards for social behavior reflect social, cultural, ethnic, and legal concepts.

• Standards applied will be those of person having the greatest power.

• Not all classrooms require the same social behaviors for success.

• Behavioral requirements of classrooms are different from the requirements of the everyday world.

AverageExtreme ExtremeLow High

M.M.T.T.

M.M. T.T.T.T.

Concept of Control

• Prevailing view that teachers are hired to produce academic behavior and control social behavior.

• Adults expect children to be good and react to them (with punishment) when they are bad.

• Society embraces a punishment mentality.• Punishment doesn’t seem to threaten freedom

and dignity.• Instruction versus correction.