Data on the amount of time I lounge in the bed after 7 am was collected during the program implementation as to compare to the baseline period.
Figure 2 below shows the trend of the target behavior before and after the self-modification program:
Figure 2: the duration of the target behavior before and after the designed program
The graphical presentation of the data in figure 2 shows that there is an inconsistent decrease in the duration of the target behavior once the program was carried out. The average durations of my problem behavior during the baseline period and the program implementation period were 143.43 minutes and 86.18 minutes respectively.
Discussion
The baseline was considerably stable within a significant period, hence was acceptable to be compared with. Although the target behavior met the ultimate embedded goal at the end of the program, it has not changed reliably with the change in criterion. The gradually decreasing trend in the target behavior compared to the baseline was attached with a few rebounds. For these causes, it is hard to conclude that the program itself was solely responsible for the behavioral change even though the changing direction was desired (Martin and Pear, 2003).
As the program was carried out for only a short period, there may be other factors that contributed to the change. I found it's easier for me to be an early riser if I have crystallized the reason for getting up. If I have committed myself to do activities with my friends, it was crucial and important to follow through. Hence, the target behavior was fulfilled not due to the consequences of the program, but rather the motivation to adhere to the commitment that I have made. Furthermore, I managed to obey the criterion set when my boyfriend acted as my alarm clock under my request. The behavior was under the other’s external controlling behavior instead of my own self-control.
The four days which I failed to wake up within the allowed time were 17th, 19th, 20th and 24th. For 17th, 19th and 20th, the contributing factor was I had insufficient and poor quality of sleep resulted from delayed bedtimes at the night before. On 24th, I was too snug being underneath my blanket as it was a rainy morning, hence unable to wake up in time.
The short-coming of the program was the reinforcer was not appetitive enough as the other alternative entertainment such as watching
Another limitation of my program was I didn’t use both punishment and reinforcement simultaneously. Punishment that follows each occurrence of the unwanted behavior might play a role to demonstrate the apparent effect of the program. I would be more attentive to my own problem behavior if positive or negative punishment is being imposed. Without the aversive consequences when I failed to hit the target, it would be less likely to reduce my probability of arising late.
Besides, the distinct period of each criterion (which was around two days) was too short for my performance to stabilize at a new higher level. The subsequent phase with a change in criterion should be initiated only when the target behavior has become persistent for acceptable duration at the preceding phase. It was even harder for me to meet a new higher criterion if I have failed in the previous two-day phase. So, a comparison of the data between these brief phases and the baseline might not provide an accurate complete analysis.
On the other hand, my low self-control and self-efficacy ought to be accountable for the failure of this program. I indulged myself to sleep in easily because it was really hard to pick out from an immediate small reinforcer (incentive derived from sleeping) versus a delayed large reinforcer (achievement of my program). Based on the Value Discounting Function, when attainment of the "sleeping pleasure" becomes imminent, its value and my preference towards it increase drastically (Powell et al, 2005).
Conclusions
After evaluating the results, it is reasonable to say that my self-behavior modification program seems to be less successful. Although my program progress was not as satisfying as I expected before, it was a meaningful breakthrough of my behavior and self-discovery. I wish I could maintain the program until the objective is reached and adopt this modified behavior as my habit. To obtain a more validating result, the follow-up self-design program should be carried out for a longer period with a more thorough design.
