Chapter 20

1. Chapter 20 Self-Management

2. Self-management Problems • Self-management problems include behavioral excesses and behavioral deficits • Self-management problems involve a conflict between short term contingencies and long term consequences • Short term contingencies control the behavior

3. Short term Long term contingencies consequences ----------------------------------------------------------- (Excess) Pos. reinforcing Negative less resp. effort (Alt. beh.) Less reinforcing Positive or punishing more resp. effort ------------------------------------------------------------ (Deficit) Punishing or Positive less reinforcing (Alt. beh.) More reinforcing Negative less resp. effort

4. Self-management process • Must analyze the target behavior and alternative behaviors (behavioral excess and deficit) in self-management • In self-management you engage in a controlling behavior in the present to influence the controlled behavior in the future • Controlling behavior = self-management strategy • Controlled behavior = target behavior to be changed in a self-management program

5. Self-Management Strategies 1. Goal setting and self-monitoring 2. Antecedent manipulations to influence the target behavior or alternative behaviors (ch 16) - Manipulate SDs, EOs, or response effort 3. Arranging reinforcers and punishers 4. Behavioral contracting (chapter 23) 5. Social support 6. Self-instructions (rules) and self-praise

6. Steps in Self-Management 1. Make the decision to do it (commitment). 2. Define target behaviors and competing behaviors. 3. Set a goal. 4. Develop a self-monitoring plan and begin self-monitoring. 5. Conduct a functional assessment of the antecedents and consequences of the target behavior and alternative behaviors. 6. Implement appropriate self-management strategies based on functional assessment information 7. Evaluate change from baseline once self-management strategies are implemented 8. Modify self-management strategies if necessary 9. Implement maintenance strategies to keep the change going over time

7. Common Problems in Self-Management Projects • Unclear descriptions of antecedents and consequences in the functional assessment • Unclear descriptions of intervention procedures • Examples: “I’ll just make myself do it.” “I’ll work harder to stop it.” “I’ll talk myself into doing it.” • Procedures aren’t practical - too much $$, time, or effort • Procedures aren’t based on functional assessment information • Consequences are too delayed to be effective • Consequences are too weak or easily short-circuited