Final answer:
Behavior modification, which encompasses techniques and strategies to change dysfunctional or deviant behaviors into acceptable ones, often utilizes operant conditioning methods such as reinforcement and token economies. Moreover, medicalization of deviance is the process of transforming 'bad' behaviors into 'sick' behaviors that require medical intervention, thus reframing societal responses.
Step-by-step explanation:
Anything used to induce behavioral change with the goals of eliminating dysfunctional or deviant behavior and encouraging productive and normal patterns is referred to as behavior modification. This process uses principles of operant conditioning, where the target behavior is followed by reinforcement or punishment to strengthen or weaken it, resulting in an increased likelihood of the desired behavior in the future. Techniques such as token economies in classrooms or behavior charts at home exemplify behavior modification strategies where desired behaviors are reinforced, rather than punishing undesirable ones.
Furthermore, the concept of medicalization of deviance refers to the process by which non-normative behaviors are reclassified as medical issues, altering societal responses to such behaviors. Sociologists study these dynamics and their implications for personal responsibility and societal control. Through understanding the concepts of behavior modification and deviance, society aims to shape behaviors in a direction that aligns with cultural norms and values through various forms of social control, sanctions, and rewards.