Amelioration: An Innovative Approach to Behavior Management Based on Cognitive Process

ABSTRACT The study aimed to determine the applicability of psychological traits identified by Piaget sixty years ago to children in the current generation and to utilize these traits clinically for behavior modification. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 200 participants aged 4–7, divided into four groups. Three tests were administered to evaluate the manifestation of preoperational features. Based on the most noticeable aspect of cognitive development, tailored behavior management strategies were applied to help improve cooperation among the children. The study utilized Frankl’s behavior rating scale both before and after the intervention, and statistical analysis was performed to assess the outcomes. Contrary to Piaget’s findings, the study revealed that 94% of children displayed egocentrism and centration at the age of four, with these traits gradually decreasing from four to seven years old. Moreover, better patient cooperation was observed when cognitive-based behavior management techniques were employed clinically, and the improvement was statistically significant at P < 0.001. The study concluded that the Amelioration, a cognitive feature-based behavior modification technique, represented the most effective way to elicit cooperative responses from children. This technique can be considered a novel and pioneering behavior management strategy for enhancing patient cooperation.