Behaviour Modification Programme PDF

Preview

Summary

Behaviour modification for Psych B at AUT first year...

Description

Jin Yeop Yu – 20127276

Behaviour Modification Introduction to Psychology B - PSYC502

Academic Integrity Declaration. In submitting this work, I declare that: • This assessment has been produced by me and represents my own work. • Any work of another person is appropriately acknowledged and/or referenced. • This work did not involve any unauthorised collaboration. • This work has not previously been submitted by me or any other person/author, unless authorised. • I did not use any other unfair means to complete this work. • I understand that the above obligations form a part of the University’s regulations and that breaching them may result in disciplinary action.

Introduction An organism can adapt to its environment through learning, this process involves the obtaining of knowledge and skills through experience that results to a somewhat permanent change in behaviour ("What is learning? | Introduction to psychology," n.d.). Behaviour Modification (BM) is a methodical approach to analysing and modifying behaviour based on operant conditioning techniques (Miltenberger, 2012). It is a theory of learning which states that all behaviours are obtained through a process called conditioning, which is acquired through the interaction between the environment, and our responses to the environmental stimuli that constructs our actions (Cherry, 2021). Through operant conditioning, the desired or undesirable behaviour is either reinforced or punished (McLeod, 2018). The consequence of either reinforcer or punisher, increases or decreases the likelihood of the target behaviour being repeated and an association is formed (Kosslyn et al., 2014). In this essay, I will apply the mentioned theories to plan, execute and evaluate a behaviour modification programme to an behaviour of my own. In section one, I will describe my target behaviour and baseline data. In section two, an overview of the BM programme and the execution with any amendments made. Lastly in section three, I will discuss and evaluate my BM programme to see if it is possible to modify one’s own behaviour.

Section One: Behaviour In our fast-paced modern world we appreciate choice and convenience when it comes to our day-to-day lives, especially when it comes to mealtime decision-making. This has unfortunately led to the development of undesirable behaviours, such as excess spending on takeaways/UberEATS. This will be my target behaviour (TB) for this BM programme. The TB that I will aim to decrease will be defined as purchasing takeaways/UberEATS. To modify this behaviour I will design a programme to systematically decrease the intensity of the TB.

Baseline Before starting a BM programme a baseline must be established. A baseline of the TB is recorded prior to the intervention programme to measure the responsiveness of the TB to the intervention, to identify the antecedents and the potential controlling consequences of the behaviour (Weiten, 2004).

Figure 1 Baseline Representation

Notes. The baseline representation of money spent on takeaways/UberEATS over the duration of a week in dollar value.

Figure 1 shows that during the first week of data collection my TB was exerted daily. The two lowest spending days occurred on Monday and Wednesday, while the two highest spending days were Tuesday and Saturday. Thursday, Friday and Sunday displayed similar amount of money spent, approximately around $35.00 - $40.00.

Antecedents and Potential Controlling Consequences Antecedent(s) are stimuli that influence the TB either immediately before or when the behaviour occurs (Miltenberger, 2012). These stimuli play a big part in initiating the target behaviour (Weiten, 2004). According to Miltenberger (2012), it is important to understand the relationship between the antecedent and the TB, as it shows the circumstances in which the TB was reinforced and its influence. When analysing my baseline data, antecedents surrounding my TB included exhaustion, laziness and convenience. The highest spending days (Tuesday and Saturday) reflects these antecedents, that was caused by a work shift the night before (10:00 pm – 07:30 am) which increased the likelihood of my TB occurring. Another antecedent identified are my social engagements. This is shown on the days of Thursday, Friday and Sunday, where there is an increase compared to the two lowest spending days of Monday and Wednesday when nothing had been planned. These social engagements are conducted at cafés/restaurants where my TB is encouraged.

Potential controlling consequences are the aftereffects that emerge as a result of the target behaviour occurring that influences the probability of the behaviour occurring again, this can be either positive or negative (Watson & Tharp, 2013). One potential controlling consequence can be the reduced feelings of stress from not having to cook a meal. After a shift at work, the last thing I want to think about is having to cook a meal. Night shift work requires energy, disrupts the circadian rhythm and can lead one to exhaustion and a decline in health (James et al., 2017). The reduction in stress is a negative reinforcement, as an ‘aversive stimuli’ is being removed which increases the probability of my TB occurring again. Another controlling consequence are feelings of relief from not having to cook a meal as I would be mentally and physically exhausted to cook. This is seen as positive reinforcement, as gaining a sense of relief increases the likelihood of my TB reoccurring. One final controlling is the spending of money. This is seen as a negative punishment as it decreases the likelihood of my TB occurring.

Section Two Behaviour Modification Programme My BM programme will aim to decrease the intensity of money spent on takeaways/UberEATS over a three week period. I will be applying the principles of shaping, contingencies of reinforcement and a token economy that I will further discuss in this section.

The shaping technique will be used as the foundation of my programme, where there will be a gradual decrease in the TB being emitted. Each day of the week a goal will be set in relation to the same day in the previous week, building to my desired behaviour of spending only up to $50.00 per week. This steady acquisition of the desired behaviour is only obtained by the achievement of smaller behaviours, called ‘successive approximations’ (Kosslyn et al., 2014). Shaping increases the probability of the desired behaviour being achieved as it ensures that the goals are challenging but realistic to accomplish. I will be using a combination of positive reinforcement paired with negative punishment for this programme. Positive reinforcement strengthens behaviour and increases the likelihood of the behaviour occurring again in the future. This is achieved by the addition of a reinforcing stimulus following the desired behaviour, resulting in the strengthening of the emitted behaviour (Miltenberger, 2012). Negative punishment decreases behaviour and decreases the likelihood of the behaviour occurring in the future. This is achieved through ‘punishment by removal’, where a appetitive stimulus is removed as a consequence of the behaviour emitted (Miltenberger, 2012).

The reinforcer and punisher in this programme will be given/taken away through a token economy. A token economy reinforces desirable behaviours that are exhibited infrequently and decreases the undesirable behaviours (Miltenberger, 2012). When the desired behaviour is emitted, ‘tokens’ in the form of points will be given, and can be exchanged at any time for a ‘reward’ (reinforcers) as long as they have the necessary points available. This will be marked on a chart on the wall. The reinforcers chosen will be powerful motivators so that I am decreasing my TB. Should the TB be emitted, points will be removed as a form of negative punishment. This aims to decrease the probably of the TB occurring again and decreases avoidance of the goal being met (Miltenberger, 2012).

When using punishment, it must be ethical as punishers involves the removal of reinforcers and may result in the violation of rights. The use of negative punishment is ethical in this programme, as the removal of points do not cause myself any physical or mental harm, in line with the Code of Ethics in New Zealand (NZMA Code of Ethics, 2020)

Reinforcement Contingencies Contingency is the interrelationship between a response and a reinforcer (“APA dictionary of psychology,” n.d). Only when a specific behaviour is exhibited, a reinforcement will be received (Weiten, 2004). As shaping will be the basis of this programme, the behaviour goal for each week will differ to gradually reach my goal of spending less than $50.00 a week.

Table 1 Intended Targets Across a Three-Week Period Week

Percentage Decrease of Spending on Takeaways/UberEATS

One

50

Two

50

Three

25

Reinforcement Schedule My programme will be on a fixed-ratio schedule, where reinforcement will only be provided after a fixed number of responses (Kosslyn et al., 2014). When the daily goal has been met, one point will be awarded. An extra point will be added when no spending has occurred for the day, these points are considered a Secondary Reinforcer (SR). If the daily goal has not been met, one point will be deducted. Another point will be deducted if I spend over the daily goal amount. In my BM I have also used backup reinforcers (BR) as my main ‘reward’. BRs are conditioned reinforcers that enhance the desirable behaviour (Miltenberger, 2012). Advantages of using BRs are their powerful motivating properties. SRs are often less satiating than BRs and are used to claim a reward once the points have been accumulated. In this behaviour modification programme, the points can be traded at any time to redeem a BR, as long as enough points have been accumulated. Table 2 Reinforcement Schedule Backup Reinforcer

Points Required

Girls Night Out

14

Cinema Night with Friends

10

Relaxing Bubble Bath with a glass of wine

6

$5.00 Allowance

3

Notes. Table 2 shows the backup reinforcers that can be redeemed for the number of points.

Strategies To Control Antecedents and Consequences When one understands the circumstances in which the behaviour occurred and reinforced, we can form strategies to control the antecedents as well as the consequences to influence behaviour (Miltenberger, 2012). To control the effect that the antecedents and controlling consequences have on our target behaviour we must manipulate the immediate environment to elicit the desirable behaviour (decrease in TB) (Miltenberger, 2012).

One strategy to control my antecedent of exhaustion from work is to present the discriminative stimulus. A discriminative stimulus is the antecedent stimulus that is produced when a behaviour is reinforced (Miltenberger, 2012). To combat the antecedent of convenience and laziness, I will decrease the response effort for the desired behaviour (Miltenberger, 2012). Behaviours that require less effort have an increased probability of occurring, over behaviours that require more effort. To achieve both strategies I will meal prep for the entire week, decreasing the effort needed to cook on a day-to-day basis and therefore decreasing the probability of my TB being emitted. This will naturally neutralise the controlling consequences of relief and reduced stress. The chart on the wall will act as ‘cues’ to decrease my TB and adhere to the programme.

The antecedent of social engagements, will be controlled with the reinforcement schedule. I will aim to limit my social activities to the rewards in the schedule, which in turn counteracts the controlling consequences of spending money and increases the likelihood of decreasing my TB.

Execution of Programme Figure 2 Pre-Amended Programme Execution Data

Notes. Figure 2 shows data collected from week one and two relative to the baseline data. Amendments were made at the end of week two due to COVID-19 lockdown restrictions as no takeaways/UberEATS were available for purchase. Data recording for week two continued as I observed excess spending increase at countdown for ‘snacking foods’ after lockdown had occurred.

In week one, every day except for Friday, showed a 50% decrease in TB, 1 point was awarded each compliance day. On Saturday I spent no money at all achieving 2 points. There was one case of noncompliance that occurred as the daily reduced goal of 50% was not met. Two points were removed as punishment, one for not achieving my daily goal and another for spending over my target. A total of 6 points was achieved, that I used to reward myself with a relaxing bubble bath and glass of wine. In week two, on Monday and Wednesday no money was spent and 2 points were awarded each day. On Tuesday, the TB decreased by 50% relative to week one data and one point was awarded. Noncompliance occurred on Thursday where I spent over the target amount at Countdown, when a nationwide lockdown commenced on Wednesday. During level four (L4), takeaways/UberEATS are not available for purchase, however I continued to record my spending as I observed that I went to Countdown instead to try satiate my takeaway habit. A total of 7 points was collected that I decided to save for week three, as L4 restrictions meant that my reinforcement schedule would need amending.

Amendments to Behaviour Modification Programme As L4 restrictions made takeaways/UberEATS redundant, I amended my TB from spending money on takeaways/UberEATS to spending money at a dairy/supermarkets outside of my weekly food shop. The reinforcement schedule will be amended as two highest ‘rewards’ are social activities that cannot be redeemed due to L4 restrictions.

Table 3 Amended Reinforcement Schedule Backup Reinforcer

Points Required

One Beauty Product purchase (makeup/skincare)

14

Movie Night with Flatmates

10

Relaxing Bubble Bath with a glass of wine

6

$5.00 Allowance

3

Final Results Figure 3 Complete Execution of Programme

Notes. Complete execution of the programme compared against the baseline data.

Week three showed compliance to the programme on all days. Monday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, no money was spent and therefore 2 points was rewarded each day. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday I achieved my target of spending 25% less compared to week two and one point was awarded each day. A total of 11 points was accumulated. I combined week two and three’s points to redeem the reward of purchasing a beauty product online.

Conclusions and Evaluations By incorporating shaping in my BM programme the goals set day-to-day were achievable and through successive approximations, my desired behaviour was achieved. As this was self-monitored, achieving these goals early on was imperative as it would increase the probability that I will decrease the TB (Miltenberger, 2012). This is seen in figure 3, as there is a steady decrease in the TB. Had I had set unrealistic goals, such as spending only $50.00 a week in week one, I would not have been able to achieve this as it would be unrealistic. The initial goals would not have been met, encouraging my TB and the programme may have failed.

Reinforcement contingencies delivered through the token economy was successful, as it prevented satiation as well as an establishing motivating operation. An establishing operation (EO) are antecedent events that increases the effectiveness of the reinforcer. The points became an EO, making my BRs more effective. As my BRs could only be received after an accumulation of points, deprivation came into play. Deprivation is a form of EO that increases the power of reinforcers as it is not received for some time (Miltenberger, 2012). To receive my BRs I needed to accumulate the points required, this generated an absence of a pleasant stimulus thus when the BR was rewarded it became more valuable. Punishment used was also effective, as the removal of points motivated me to decrease my TB so that I would be able to accumulate points, but not so discouraging that I give up on my programme.

Although amendments to my reinforcement schedule was made in week three of my BM programme, the BRs used were generally effective to achieve my desired behaviour. This was predominantly due to their powerful motivating properties, specifically to me. Consider the beauty product BR, I achieved this reward on week three despite L4 restrictions as I am consumer-goods orientated, thus it was a powerful motivator to push me to achieve my goals.

One unforeseen factor during this programme was the nationwide lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The basis of BM is to analyse and modify the present environmental occurrences related to the behaviour (Miltenberger, 2012). Going into L4 brought up feelings of depression (emotional factor) and was an antecedent that I did not account for. I normally combat feelings of depression with comfort eating, and this can be seen on Thursday, week two when I exerted my TB. However, due the strategies already in place to control my antecedents and controlling consequences by presenting the discriminative stimulus and decreasing my response effort required, I counteracted this unexpected antecedent and ensured that little to no deviation from the programme occurred.

Furthermore, in hindsight there are elements that I could have added to increase the BM programme success. Although reasonably consistent, at times I found it challenging to adhere to my programme. This could have been counteracted with a behavioural contract. A behavioural contract is made with a ‘contract manager’. A signed written document, which specifies the TB and its consequences that is contingent on the TB emitted (Miltenberger, 2012). Although this would have required another person, had this been implemented there may have been better compliance to the programme due to an accountability factor in addition to the contingencies in place. In essence, through the principles of reinforcement contingencies, a token economy, implementing strategies to control antecedents and potential controlling consequences one can construct a tailored BM programme to modify one’s own behaviour.

Total Word count not including cover sheet, headings, subheadings, figures and tables: 2629

References APA dictionary of psychology. (n.d.). In APA dictionary of psychology. https://dictionary.apa.org/reinforcement-contingency

Cherry, K. (2021, February 20). History and key concepts of behavioural psychology. Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/behavioral-psychology-4157183

Code of ethics for the New Zealand medical profession. (2020, June). New Zealand Medical Association. https://www.nzma.org.nz/publications-and-resources/code-of-ethics/?0e8716f4_page=2

James, S. M., Honn, K. A., Gaddameedhi, S., & Van Dongen, H. P. (2017). Shift work: Disrupted circadian rhythms and sleep—Implications for health and well-being. Current Sleep Medicine Reports, 3(2), 104-112. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40675-017-0071-6

Kosslyn, S. M., Rosenberg, R. S., & Lambert, A. J. (2014). Psychology in context. Pearson.

McLeod, S. A. (2018, January 21). Operant conditioning (B.F. Skinner). Study Guides for Psychology Students - Simply Psychology. https://www.simplypsychology.org/operant-conditioning.html

Miltenberger, R. G. (2012). Behavior modification: Principles and procedures (5th ed.). Cengage Learning.

Watson, D. L., & Tharp, R. G. (2013). Self-directed behavior: Self-modification for personal adjustment. Cengage Learning.

Weiten, W. (2004). Psychology: Themes and variations (6th ed.). Thomson Wadsworth.

What is learning? | In...