Self-management

Question 1

What is the definition of self-management?

Answer 1

Self-management occurs when a person engages in a behaviour at one point in time to control the occurrence of another behaviour at a later time (Watson & Tharp)

Question 2

What are some techniques of self-management?

Answer 2

Set smaller goals so overall goal is more achievable
Cueing the behaviour makes it easier
Hold yourself accountable - record/track data
Social reinforcement

Question 3

What is a behavioural deficit?

Answer 3

Failing to engage in desirable behaviours

Question 4

What is behaviour excess?

Answer 4

Target behaviour is happening too much

Question 5

What is the immediate contingency of not cycling enough (behavioural deficit)?

Answer 5

Eating and watching TV more appetitive in the moment, response effort, painful muscle aches

Question 6

What are the delayed positive outcomes of not cycling enough (behavioural deficit)?

Answer 6

Being healthier, more energy, better physique

Question 7

What are the immediate contingencies of gambling too much (behavioural excess)?

Answer 7

Adrenaline rush and sense of fun, low response effort, cues from friends

Question 8

What are the delayed negative outcomes of gambling too much (behavioural excess)?

Answer 8

Poor finances, negative impact on relationships

Question 9

What is the problem with delayed positive outcomes?

Answer 9

It is in the future so doesn’t exert a lot of influence

Question 10

What drives behaviour excess?

Answer 10

Immediate contingency, not the delayed negative outcomes

Question 11

What is temporal discounting?

Answer 11

The longer the delay between the behaviour and the reinforcer, the less likely the reinforcer will be reinforced

Question 12

What is a problem for self-management?

Answer 12

Conflict between short-term contingencies and long-term outcomes

Question 13

What are 5 strategies for self-management?

Answer 13

1. Goal-setting and self-monitoring
2. Antecedent manipulations
3. Behavioural contracting
4. Social support
5. Self-instructions and praise

Question 14

What are the three types of antecedent manipulations?

Answer 14

1. Present the discriminative stimulus/cue for the target behaviour and remove the discriminative stimulus for the competing undesirable behaviour
2. Arrange establishing operation for the target behaviour and remove establishing operation for the competing behaviours
3. Decrease response effort for the desirable behaviour and increase the response effort for the competing behaviour

Question 15

What is a problem with behavioural contracting when self-managing?

Answer 15

More likely to short-circuit the contingency - taking the reinforcer in the absence of the target behaviour

Question 16

What are the steps in a self-management plan?

Answer 16

1. Define target behaviours and competing behaviours
2. Set goals
3. Self-monitor
4. FBA
5. Choose strategies
6. Evaluate change
7. Re-evaluate if necessary
8. Maintenance