Origins, Key Contributors, Dates:

Behaviorism key concepts, applications, and limitations:

Learning Scenario

Scenario: A non-profit organization fighting the opioid epidemic is training it’s staff members and members of the public on how to properly administer Narcan (naloxone), a very effective emergency treatment for opioid overdose.

Goals: Participants can correctly identify an opioid overdose, and they can correctly administer Narcan.

Approach: Behaviorism with focus on objective, observable, measurable behaviors.

Stimulus: Simulated overdose scenarios using prerecorded video clips, annotated pictures, and verbal descriptions of scenarios.

Response: Identification of the overdose and the correct administration of Narcan.

Introduction: The instructor introduces the session and explains the importance of Narcan in saving lives. Participants are informed that they will be able to chose from a variety of responses and their choices will be reinforced through immediate feedback and rewards.

Interactive Training Session: A series of video recordings of a person simulating either an opioid overdose (e.g., unresponsive, slow or no breathing) or something else that looks similar to but has a distinct sign of not being an overdose.

• Participants must identify signs of overdose (e.g., unresponsiveness, pinpoint pupils) and call for emergency help.
• Participants then choose the sequence of steps to correctly apply Narcan nasal spray or inject Narcan as per the training instructions.

Reinforcement Strategies:

Positive Reinforcement:

• Each correct identification and administration of Narcan earns the participant a point.
• A certain number of points are needed to earn a certificate of attendance.
• Unlimited attempts are allowed to ensure that each participant will eventually receive their certificate.

Negative Reinforcement:

• If a participants fails to identify the overdose or the steps to correctly administer Narcan, they receive immediate corrective feedback and a brief additional instruction session to reinforce the correct procedure. They are directed to repeat that particular scenario.

Observable Behavior:

Correct Identification of symptoms:

• Participants consistently identify overdose signs accurately and promptly.

Proper Narcan Administration:

• Participants indicate correctly that they know all of the steps for administering Narcan, including checking for responsiveness, calling for help, and applying the medication.

Confidence and Speed:

• Participants demonstrate increased confidence and speed in their actions, indicating proficiency and comfort with the procedure.

Engagement and Participation:

• Participants finish the module by completing all of the scenarios presented.