67. Performative vs Systemic Change

Becoming Centered Podcast 67, "Performative vs Systemic Change" lays the groundwork for understanding how to design effective behavior-focused program structures that are intended to shape the behaviors of children and youth in residential treatment programs. The key to effective design of these structures is understanding when and how to focus on performative behaviors versus when and how to focus on inner systemic change. "Performative behavioral change" are changes in the kids' surface behaviors while they are at the treatment program. "Inner systemic change" are changes in how the kids manage their feelings, use staff feedback, put effort into their own personal development, and manage their relationships with others. Systemic change will lead to changes in surface behaviors that are much more likely to last after kids leave a residential program.

Both types of change have their place in a residential treatment program. Depending on the design, both types of change can be encouraged through behavior-focused structures including things like point systems, point and level systems, coupon systems, token economies, and behavior contracts. These techniques are, often times, the structural foundation of a lot of residential programs. This podcast will give you the tools to understand how to better design and use these techniques.