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

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

4. 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

5. Natural Competing Contingency Less time to hang out with friends Will be able to hang out with friends Run once BEFOREAFTERBEHAVIOR

6. 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 (S D ): 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

7. Ineffective Natural Contingency Slightly greater level of health Given level of health Run once BEFOREAFTERBEHAVIOR

8. Performance-Management Contingency Will not lose $2 Will Lose $2 Run once BEFOREAFTERBEHAVIOR

9. Inferred Theoretical Contingency No fear of losing $2 Fear of Losing $2 Run once BEFOREAFTERBEHAVIOR

10. Target Behavior Graph

11. 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

13. Problems During Intervention n 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…

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

15. My Results n 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! Me after intervention

16. My Comments n Self-Management has come to my rescue once again. n 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

17. THANK YOU!! Any Questions or Comments?