Summary:

Planned ignoring is a behavior modification technique that involves intentionally ignoring certain undesirable behaviors in children to reduce their frequency or intensity. The use of planned ignoring is effective at reducing attention-seeking, disruptive, off-task, and noncompliant behaviors in children with and without developmental disabilities in the classroom setting.

Lewis and Vollmer (2008) further studied the effects planned ignoring has in reducing off-task and disruptive behavior in a classroom setting. The authors suggest that this technique works by reducing the reinforcing value of the attention-seeking behavior, ultimately leading to a decrease in the frequency of the behavior.

O'Leary and Guckenburg (1993) further note that planned ignoring is a new treatment for attention-seeking behaviors. They suggest that this technique can be used to reduce behaviors such as interrupting, talking out of turn, and calling out in class.

Schuster, Nelson, and Gavornik (2007) similarly report that using planned ignoring can reduce disruptive behavior in the classroom. They found that this technique was effective at reducing behaviors such as talking out of turn, off-task behavior, and noncompliance.

When implementing planned ignoring, it is important to identify the undesirable behavior, decide when and where to ignore the behavior, and ignore the behavior consistently and appropriately. It is important not to reinforce the behavior with attention or other rewards.

It is important to note that planned ignoring should not be used for harmful behaviors, when a behavior is not minor or when the behavior is dangerous. It is critical to always consider the safety of the students and those around them.

Quiz questions:

1. Planned ignoring is a technique used to ___________ undesirable behavior.

1. Reward
2. Punish
3. Ignore 

1. a. For all types of behaviors, regardless of their severity
2. b. Only for minor, attention-seeking behaviors
3. c. Only for major, disruptive behaviors
4. d. Only for dangerous behaviors

1. a.  Ignoring a student who is yelling at other students in the classroom
2. b. Ignoring a student who is tapping their pencil on the desk during class
3. c. Ignoring a student who is hitting another student
4. d.  Ignoring a student who is sleeping during class
5. e. Ignoring a student who blurts out the answers

Which of the following are factors to consider when implementing planned ignoring?

1. a. The severity of the behavior
2. b. The age of the student
3. c. The consistency of ignoring the behavior
4. d. The duration of time the behavior has been exhibited

Sources:

Lewis, T., & Vollmer, T. R. (2008). Planned ignoring: an effective strategy for reducing off-task and disruptive behavior. Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions, 10(4), 206-214. doi:10.1177/1098300708316296

Vollmer, T. R., Geller, E. S., & Dennison, G. S. (1993). Planned ignoring: a new approach to the treatment of chronic noncompliance. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 26(4), 645-654. doi:10.1901/jaba.1993.26-645

O'Leary, K. D., & Guckenburg, T. P. (1993). Planned ignoring: a new treatment for attention-seeking behaviors. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 26(4), 635-643. doi:10.1901/jaba.1993.26-635

Schuster, L. M., Nelson, J. R., & Gavornik, S. A. (2007). Using planned ignoring to reduce disruptive behavior in the classroom. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 40(3), 617-620. doi:10.1901/jaba.2007.40-617