A Step in the Right Direction Tiffany Smiecinski

A Step in the Right Direction Tiffany Smiecinski August 7, 2008 BOOTCAMP

Problem n n n I used to run on an everyday basis, but in the past year it has gone on an increasingly downward slope But why? ? Because the outcome of gaining slightly better health is too small to control my behavior… May 2007 May 2008

Competing Contingencies n …Or in other words, there are several other things I could do that would be more effective than gaining a slightly higher level of health such as: – Studying flashcards – Doing homework – Watching TV – Hanging out with friends

Natural Competing Contingency BEFORE Will be able to hang out with friends BEHAVIOR AFTER Run once Less time to hang out with friends

The SM Intervention n Target behavior: Running n Intervention: I have to run 4 days a week – I will lose $2 for everyday I miss (Avoidance of the loss of a reinforcer) n Deadline (SD): Midnight Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun n PM manager: My roommate, Katie n Start Date: June 10, 2008 n End Date: Still in progress…. . for now

Ineffective Natural Contingency BEFORE Given level of health BEHAVIOR AFTER Run once Slightly greater level of health

Performance-Management Contingency BEFORE Will Lose $2 BEHAVIOR AFTER Run once Will not lose $2

Inferred Theoretical Contingency BEFORE BEHAVIOR AFTER Fear of Losing $2 Run once No fear of losing $2

Target Behavior Graph

Benefit Measure • Since I haven’t had as much energy as I used to, my main reason to start running again was to hopefully increase my energy levels to where they used to be • So I created a rating scale of 1 -10 to measure my levels of energy • 1=very little energy • 5=moderate amount of energy • 10=a lot of energy

Problems During Intervention The main problem I came across was forcing myself to actually leave my house to get to the treadmill n And it seemed like losing $2 wasn’t very aversive for me… n

Recycle n …so I recycled that consequence and changed it to a loss of $5, which was a more aversive outcome for me

My Results The intervention was a success!! n I not only was reaching of my goal of running 4 times a week, n I also increased my energy levels to where they used to be! n Me after intervention

My Comments n n Self-Management has come to my rescue once again. Hopefully I will be able to continue this project after bootcamp is over and possibly implement some additional ones that are in serious need of help

THANK YOU!! Any Questions or Comments?