Why should planned ignoring be employed in behavioral interventions?

Planned ignoring is a behavioral intervention strategy designed to minimize reinforcement for undesirable behaviors. By intentionally ignoring attention-seeking behaviors, caregivers or educators decrease the likelihood that these behaviors will persist or escalate. The rationale is that if a child learns that certain behaviors do not elicit a response or attention, they will be less likely to engage in those behaviors over time.

The effectiveness of planned ignoring lies in its function of disrupting the cycle of reinforcement. Many undesired behaviors, such as tantrums or disruptive actions, are often maintained because they result in some form of attention, whether that be negative or positive. By not responding, the child no longer receives the reinforcement they previously obtained, thereby decreasing the occurrence of those behaviors in the future.

This approach is grounded in principles of behavior analysis, particularly the understanding of operant conditioning, where behaviors that are not reinforced diminish over time. It's important to note that while planned ignoring focuses on reducing the frequency of undesired behaviors, it does not imply a lack of care or concern for the child. Instead, it is used strategically to promote more positive behaviors that can be reinforced appropriately.