Assignment on Behavioral psychologists

Assignment on Behavioral psychologists

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Assignment on Behavioral psychologists

CHANGING BEHAVIOR

Behavioral psychologists have repeatedly demonstrated that most people can modify their

own behavior through the application of operant principles. The text authors delineate

some of the mechanisms involved in self control, such as self reinforcement and stimulus

control. The following exercise, outlines steps (suggested by Anthony Grasha), that will

allow you to experience directly the often, powerful effects of behavior change and

modification. You will be designing a program for yourself in order to change a behavior

that you would like to either increase, decrease or eliminate entirely.

1.

Identify a habit or behavior that you would like to

change

, either by decreasing it or

increasing it.

It could be a habit you want to eliminate like smoking, or a behavior

you want to increase, like studying more. Set a very specific goal to change that is

observable and measurable

.

a.

Don’t say “I want to get more exercise”; it’s too vague. You will need to

operationally define

“more exercise” and set a goal that is measurable and

observable; such as: “ I need to start jogging one mile every day”.

b.

Don’t say: “ I need to lose weight”; say “ I need to lose 10 pounds in 8 weeks.

c.

” Don’t say: “I need to cut back on my smoking”, say: “ I need to cut my

cigarette smoking from one pack a day to half a pack a day for three

consecutive months”;

d.

Don’t say: “I need to spend more time studying”, state “ I need to study at

least 1 hour a day, 5 times a week”.