Helping an Individual to Develop SelfControl

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

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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

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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

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A Model for Self-Control

• Emitting a controlling behavior to effect a
  change in a behavior to be controlled

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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?

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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

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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 cant 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

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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

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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?

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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?

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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?