Abstract
This paper is about behavior modification, it starts with a discussion of what behavior modification is concerned with. Following the discussions on behavior modification is another discussion from a website for behavior modification, The Zen Habits Free Website, was selected in this discussion. There are different kinds of behavior some of which are desirable while others are faulty. Behavior modification seeks to correct these behaviors that are undesirable. It is very important for people undergoing behavior modification to be supported and encouraged by important others. There are counselors and psychologists who are mandated with this task especially in rehabilitation centers. For a change in behavior there need to be different mental, psychological and physical stimuli’s. The third and the last part is gives a discussion and illustration of my personal behavior change program in form of a work sheet.
Behavior Modification Discussion
Behavior simply refers to specific actions that can be observed and analyzed by people (Kiernan, 1975). Change in behavior could be in form of increasing a desirable behavior, reducing undesirable behavior, dropping undesirable behavior and adopting a much desirable one or learning an entirely new behavior. Therefore, behavior change requires adoption of different techniques such as punishment, operant conditioning, positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement amongst others (Kiernan, 1975). These techniques can come about naturally as in the case of an alcoholic who gets fired from a good job due to absenteeism caused by the excessive drinking. The alcoholic may decide never to take alcohol again in his entire life; this is an example of punishment technique though not applied in a professional way.
Not so many behavior changes happen automatically. There is a need to for someone to first identify and acknowledge that there is something averse about their behavior and secondly have a desire to change. Even after making these two crucial steps the process of behavior modification still remain to be tiresome and lengthy. In most cases it is determination and the hope of the positive outcome that motivates them not to give up while on a behavior change process. The positive outcome is usually not just beneficial to the individual undergoing behavior modification process but also to important others. For example if person ‘X’ decides they want to stop consuming a lot of junk food in an attempt to reduce their weight. From this change many people are bound to benefit, of course X will save some extra money which could have otherwise been spent on the junk, reduce his chances of becoming obese and the health complications concerned with the same and increase chances of being physically fit which will make him much happier. X employers will have a much flexible employee and X family and friends will have a healthier person who will not burden them with self inflicted illness.The health practitioners should also be involved in providing specific advice and monitoring the health implications of a given behavior family and friends usually provide the most support in encouraging and showing solidarity with the client.
There are cases where clients successfully manage to completely change their behaviors’ for the better, at other times there are cases of relapsing or slipping. Slipping means that the client the client get to doing the undesirable behavior just once after a long time (Erickson, 1973) . In the case of X above for example, X could one day be invited by friends to attend a party during which he drinks. Relapsing on the other hand refers to instances where the client after going through the behavior change program starts and continuous with the former undesirable behavior. Relapse and slipping are usually caused by triggers which could be association with certain people, places, thing or task (Erickson, 1973). Relapse prevention can therefore be facilitated through clients’ avoidance of these triggers. In case of relapse and slipping it is always important not to condemn the client but instead to provide support.
Website selection and Discussion
The Zen Habits Free Website
Zen habits free website is one out of the many websites that provide information on specific habits the can enhance better health and good time management. Unlike many such websites whose authors usually give personal experiences to describe behavior change Leo Babauta focuses on the content of the behavior change. For example instead of giving a personal experience on obesity and how he struggled to overcome it Leo chooses to explain the causes of obesity and different measures that can be used to enhance better weight management. To me this is most desirable because I believe that people can have the same condition but their way towards improving that condition is different (Martin, 2015). What worked for you is not necessarily applicable to me as much as our challenge could be similar. People are different in terms of occupation, motivation, abilities and so forth all of which are bound to affect outcomes.
Plenty of eBook materials and free articles are available in this website. However people who desire to go deeper into Leo’s strategies and application methods to behavior change can subscribe to his ‘Sea Change program’ at a cost of $10 per month. The audiences subscribed to the program have a choice to make on the type of programs they want to engage in. They are free to drop programs which are less desirable and reduce the charges. There is no additional payment for audience who chose to skip many programs only to come back at a later date.
The two main disadvantages of this website are that specific programs are offered at a specific time (Martin, 2015). It is therefore not convenient if someone requires enrollment say on meditation at a time when instruct is offering sleeping habits. Programs are organized by the instructor in liaison with the majority voice. Another disadvantage is that there is a monthly subscription fee of $10 which some people may not afford.
This website is very attractive because it publishes monthly reviews. There is a platform from which the audience can air out their opinions, questions and general contributions. The questions asked are usually answered and published through the same website. The website is relevant to many behavior change practices right from the academic sector, career, eating, to mention but a few. Any person will find this website useful despite different age groups, sex, religion affiliation or social status. The website is free and has been made accessible to the public without discrimination of any kind.
Work Sheet
Behavior Modification for Insert Name to Cutting of Alcohol Consumption
Problem Behavior
My alcohol consumption has got to a critical stage and I realize I cannot keep procrastinating the time for starting a change towards this issue.’ A journey of a million miles starts with a single step’ they say. My addiction started with a simple sip of beer at a friend’s party, it was never a big deal at first, so the next time I followed the group to another party. The more the parties I attended the alcohol I took. The resultant effect was that I became a social drinker. I could go out with friends and take just a bottle of alcohol; I never realized any side effects so I thought I was just fine.
Before long I realize that I had an insatiable craving for alcohol, things started getting out of control and I could miss classes and fail to do certain task due to this problem. My friends and relatives complained about this behavior and I got very irritated by them. I thank God for my best friend who instead of complaining and blaming decided to one day address me while I was sober and we talked at length about my alcoholism. That conversation was an eye opener to me. Now that I know I am an alcoholic, I want to start the first step towards alcohol free life.
For every successful attainment of a goal I will reward myself as indicated below
References
Erickson, M. T., & Nelson, R. O. (1973). Readings in behavior modification. New York: Mss Information Corp.
Kiernan, C. C., & Institute for Research into Mental and Multiple Handicap. <London>. (1975). Behaviour modification with the severely retarded: [the Study Group on Behaviour Modification with the Severely Retarded was held at Cumberland Lodge, Windsor Great Park on 2 - 4 December 1974]. Amsterdam: Elsevier
Martin Grunburg (2015) http://www.thehabitfactor.com/2013/03/habit-building-part-iii-the-parr- method-and-progressive-behavior-modification-therapy/
