The behavior I chose to attempt modify is my daily activity level. Behavior modification is defined in the textbook as "the systematic application of behavior principles to facilitate adaptive behavior". I chose this behavior because I wanted to increase my number of steps taken per day. This behavior is one I consider a good one to attempt to modify is because higher activity leads to weight management and better overall health. Better health is associated with more confidence, happiness, and better body image. I have noticed my daily amount of steps is under the generally considered beneficial amount for weight loss, which is 10000 steps. This behavior is also one that is easy to gather data from, as the quantity of steps is something that
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I did not reach my goal of reaching 7000 steps 4 days of the week, but was close with 3 days. I met my goal of increasing my average steps taken per day and my average, which was 7095 steps is over my daily step goal of 7000. Although I did not take 7000 steps every day, my average number of steps was over my daily step goal. I also met my goal of increasing my total weekly steps. I was able to meet 3 of my 4 set goals, which I consider to be a mostly successful exercise. There are numerous ways that this process could have been better and more effective. An important factor to consider is that I had no one to keep me accountable. If someone knew about my modification process I feel I would have had a greater desire to push myself reach my goals. I have also wondered if my reinforcers were strong enough. If my reinforcers were things more important than netflix and ice cream, I certainly would have a more enthusiasm about reaching my goals. If I did the exercise again, I would chose stronger reinforcements to increase the probability of the attempted behavior modification being successful. I believe if utilized over an extended period of time, a system of contingency with stronger reinforcers, that is reinforcers of higher value than I used in this exercise would be successful. My reinforcers could have more effective which would have made my system of contingency better and therefore my attempt at modification could have been more successful. Another factor that had an effect on this exercise was that every day of my week is not the same. Some days I have more time to be active and some days were affected by external forces such as assignments I had to devote time to or previously made appointments that commanded my time. Figure 1 illustrates my baseline data and the varying amount of steps taken per day while Figure 2 illustrates my week of attempted modification. It is observable that
I did not reach my goal of reaching 7000 steps 4 days of the week, but was close with 3 days. I met my goal of increasing my average steps taken per day and my average, which was 7095 steps is over my daily step goal of 7000. Although I did not take 7000 steps every day, my average number of steps was over my daily step goal. I also met my goal of increasing my total weekly steps. I was able to meet 3 of my 4 set goals, which I consider to be a mostly successful exercise. There are numerous ways that this process could have been better and more effective. An important factor to consider is that I had no one to keep me accountable. If someone knew about my modification process I feel I would have had a greater desire to push myself reach my goals. I have also wondered if my reinforcers were strong enough. If my reinforcers were things more important than netflix and ice cream, I certainly would have a more enthusiasm about reaching my goals. If I did the exercise again, I would chose stronger reinforcements to increase the probability of the attempted behavior modification being successful. I believe if utilized over an extended period of time, a system of contingency with stronger reinforcers, that is reinforcers of higher value than I used in this exercise would be successful. My reinforcers could have more effective which would have made my system of contingency better and therefore my attempt at modification could have been more successful. Another factor that had an effect on this exercise was that every day of my week is not the same. Some days I have more time to be active and some days were affected by external forces such as assignments I had to devote time to or previously made appointments that commanded my time. Figure 1 illustrates my baseline data and the varying amount of steps taken per day while Figure 2 illustrates my week of attempted modification. It is observable that