Chapter 9:Chapter 9:Behavior ModificationBehavior Modification

How many psychiatrists does it take to How many psychiatrists does it take to change a light bulb? One, but the change a light bulb? One, but the light bulb has really got to want to light bulb has really got to want to change.change.

- - AnonymousAnonymous

Behavior as a component of Behavior as a component of personalitypersonality

Personality is thought to be comprised of:Personality is thought to be comprised of:– valuesvalues, those abstract qualities that give , those abstract qualities that give

meaning to our livesmeaning to our lives– attitudesattitudes, perceptions derived from these , perceptions derived from these

valuesvalues– behaviorsbehaviors, any actions based on one or more , any actions based on one or more

attitudesattitudes

Of these, Of these, behaviorsbehaviors are thought to be the are thought to be the most easily influenced.most easily influenced.

The behavior modification modelThe behavior modification model

awarenessawareness desire to changedesire to change cognitive restructuringcognitive restructuring behavioral substitutionbehavioral substitution evaluationevaluation

Behavior StylesBehavior Styles

PassivePassive– Too intimidated to express thoughts and Too intimidated to express thoughts and

feelings.feelings.– Forfeits rights and freedomsForfeits rights and freedoms

AggressiveAggressive– Acts to intimidate others and gain control.Acts to intimidate others and gain control.– Includes manipulation, intimidation, Includes manipulation, intimidation,

accusations, fighting.accusations, fighting.

Assertiveness - DefinedAssertiveness - Defined

Ability to be comfortably strong-willed Ability to be comfortably strong-willed about thoughts, feelings, and actions.about thoughts, feelings, and actions.

An inner resource to deal peacefully with An inner resource to deal peacefully with confrontations.confrontations.

Expressing personal rights and feelings.Expressing personal rights and feelings.

Assertiveness behavior styleAssertiveness behavior style

Focuses on specific issues and problems.Focuses on specific issues and problems. No belittling or attacking.No belittling or attacking. Expresses opinions, defends rights.Expresses opinions, defends rights. Open, tolerant, considerate.Open, tolerant, considerate. Confronts and resolves issues.Confronts and resolves issues.

Assertiveness skillsAssertiveness skills

learn to say nolearn to say no learn to use “I” statementslearn to use “I” statements use eye contactuse eye contact use assertive body languageuse assertive body language practice peaceful disagreementpractice peaceful disagreement avoid manipulation avoid manipulation (intimidation, content (intimidation, content

substitution, personal-character attacks, avoidance)substitution, personal-character attacks, avoidance)

respond rather than reactrespond rather than react

Steps to initiate behavior Steps to initiate behavior modificationmodification

select an undesirable behaviorselect an undesirable behavior ask yourself how motivated you are to ask yourself how motivated you are to

change this behaviorchange this behavior think about what changes in your think about what changes in your

perceptions and attitudes must perceptions and attitudes must accompany this behavioral changeaccompany this behavioral change

specify what new behavior you wish to specify what new behavior you wish to adoptadopt

evaluate evaluate