The change project is your chance to apply behavior modification on yourself. This project is worth 100 points or 10% of the course grade.

The process of applying behavior modification to an individual can be broken down into three steps: (1) specification of the behavior you wish to modify and development of a behavior modification plan; (2) observation of the behavior (especially the recording of baseline data) and environmental contingencies that influence the behavior; and (3) the execution of your behavior modification plan using consequation (the placing of new consequences or contingencies on your behavior) or other techniques.

The first thing you must do is select an area of your life, specifically some behavior or group of behaviors, that cause you some distress or problems. It is important that you really want to change this behavior and not just feel guilty about engaging in a behavior that you really enjoy. For instance, some students wish to change their drinking because they feel it is wrong to drink, but they really don't want to stop drinking because of how much they enjoy it and benefit from it (by, for example, having an excuse for what you want to do). In the past students have selected such behaviors as weight loss, exercise, test anxiety, amount of time spent studying, and cutting down on TV. Once you have selected a behavior you want to change you can start the behavior modification program. A sign-up sheet will be passed around class on Oct. 12 for you to list the behavior you wish to change.

STEP 1

The first step is to specify the behavior you wish to change. This is similar to making an operational definition of a variable in an experiment. You will make an operational definition of the behaviors you wish to change and the changes you wish to see. Your specifications should be as detailed and concrete as possible For instance, instead of saying you wish to smoke less, count the number of cigarettes you smoke every day for a week. Take your average per day (say six) and decided to reduce it to 3 per day. Also specify the circumstances associated with your smoking. Do you smoke when you get up in the morning? When you eat? When you are out with friends? Describe all the situations in which you smoke, every time you smoke.

Specifying your current behavior, the kind of behavior change you wish to bring about, and the circumstances surrounding your behavior, allows you to analyze the environment to determine how your behavior is reinforced or punished. Finally, the operational definitions and analysis of the environment gives you the information you need to develop a plan for changing your current behavior to your desired behavior by applying behavior modification techniques.

Your specification of the behavior you want to change and the kind of change you want to bring about, along with your analysis of the environment and your behavior modification plan are all due on Friday, Oct. 23 in class. This should be about one typed page in length. If you turn in this part of the assignment late, five points will be subtracted from your grade for every class period it is late.

STEP 2

The detailed records you make of the behavior you wish to change make up the base line data for your change project.

The effectiveness of the behavior modification program will be evaluated by comparing the base line data with a record of your behavior after you start the behavior modification program. Your records should be as detailed as possible. Graph your data when possible. You should record your behavior from Oct. 27-Nov. 5. This is the baseline period for your change project. Turn in a COPY of your baseline data (in graph form if possible) on Nov. 6.

STEP 3

Starting on Friday, Nov. 6 you will put your behavior modification plan into effect and you will keep a detailed record of your target behavior during this time. Try to keep your records or a notebook with your records in it with you at all times. I will conduct spot checks on folks, if you do not have your recording system with you, you will be penalized. Keep the consequences in effect until Monday, Dec. 7.

STEP 4

The last step is to write up a report and evaluation of your change project. This is due in class on Tuesday, Dec. 8th. It should be typed and should include your specification of the target behavior and environmental contingencies, your base line data and behavior modification plan, and your assessment of how successful (and why) your project was. Late reports are penalized five points per class period late.

A FINAL NOTE

Please talk to either of us if you have any questions about developing a successful plan or modifying your plan if it does not seem to be working. This experience can be (and will be) a wonderful chance for you to learn a valuable skill that will change your life.