Helping an Individual to Develop Self-Control

1. Helping an Individual to Develop Self-Control Chapter 26

2. Self-Control • Process by which individual deliberately alters or changes his or her behavior to achieve a specific goal • Self Administration

3. Causes of Self-Control Problems • Problems of Behavioral Excesses • Immediate reinforcers versus delayed punishers for a behavior • Immediate reinforcers versus cumulatively significant punishers for a behavior • Immediate reinforcers for problem behavior versus delayed reinforcers for alternative desired behavior • Problems of Behavioral Deficiencies • Immediate small punishers for a behavior versus reinforcers that are cumulatively significant • Immediate small punisher for behavior versus immediate but highly improbable major punisher if the behavior does not occur • Immediate small punisher for a behavior versus a delayed major punisher if the behavior does not occur

4. A Model for Self-Control • Two parts • Clear specification of the problem as a behavior to be controlled • Application of behavioral techniques to manage the problem

5. A Model for Self-Control • Emitting a controlling behavior to effect a change in a behavior to be controlled

6. Steps in Self-Control Program • Specify problem and set goals • What do you want to change and how will you know success? • Make a commitment to change • Statements and actions that indicate that you want to change • Write out advantages to change and post in visible space • Make it public • Incorporate frequent reminders of your commitment in your environment • Conduct assessment • When, where, and how does a problem behavior occur?

7. Steps in Self-Control Program • Design and implement a program • Manage antecedents - what are the causes? • Instructions – use self-instructions • Modeling – find someone who is good at behavior and observe • Physical guidance – may use physical barriers to avoid some behaviors • Immediate surroundings – may need to change • Other people – may need to change • Time of day – may need to change what you do at certain times • Manage the behavior – for complex behaviors, need to focus on the behavior itself; may need to conduct task analysis and have mastery criteria. • Manage consequences – eliminate reinforcers of negative behaviors

8. Steps in Self-Control Program • Prevent relapse and make gains last • Be sure to define behavior clearly • If have long-term goals, have intermittent short-term goals to check progress • Do not over do it • Try to avoid setback situations • If can’t recognize setback situations in advance, have coping strategies • Do not overreact to setbacks • Avoid counterproductive self-talk • Incorporate everyday rewards into the program • In programs where consequences are only cumulatively significant, plan postchecks and have specific strategies to follow if the postchecks are unfavorable • Practice self-control strategies to improve additional behaviors • Involve supportive others • Sign a behavioral contract with supportive others

9. Behavioral Contract • Serves at least four important stimulus control functions: • Ensures all parties agree to goals and procedures • Ensures that all parties agree on how close they are to reaching the goals • Provides the client with a realistic estimate of the cost of the program to him or her in time, effort, and money • Signatures help ensure that all parties with follow procedures

10. Contract Troubleshooting Guide • The Contract • Was the target behavior specified clearly? • If the target behavior was complex, did the contract ask for small approximations to the desired behavior? • Were specific deadlines identified for the target behavior? • Did the contract clearly identify situations where the target behavior should occur? • Did the contract provide for immediate reinforcement? Are the reinforcers still important and valuable? • Could reinforcers be earned often? • Did the contract call for and reward accomplishment rather than obedience? • Was the contract phrased in a positive way? • Do you consider the contract to be fair and in your best interests?

11. Contract Troubleshooting Guide • The Mediator (your cosigner) • Did the mediator understand the contract? • Did the mediator dispense the kind and amount of reinforcement specified in the contract? • Did the mediator meet with you on the dates specified in the contract? • Is a new mediator required?

12. Contract Troubleshooting Guide • Measurement • Are the data accurate? • Is your data collection system too complex or too difficult? • Does your data collection system clearly reflect your progress in achieving the target behavior? • Do you need to improve your data collection system?