Behaviour modification

The Effect of Behaviour Modification on Studying and Procrastination University of Sydney Abstract A study was conducted to determine the effects of behaviour self-modification on the number of hours spent studying and procrastinating. The 141 participants were second year University students studying Psychology. Baseline behaviour was recorded for both studying and procrastination followed by a treatment week where each student selected to modify either studying or procrastination and planned and carried out their behaviour modification. Results were significant, revealing that those trying to decrease procrastination were successful in decreasing this behaviour, as well as increasing the alternative behaviour, studying. Similarly, students trying to increase studying were successful, as well as decreasing their procrastination. Overall, it was found that behaviour modification has significant effects on the amount of time spend studying and procrastinating. The Effect of Behaviour Modification on Studying and Procrastination Behaviour modification is an interesting aspect of Psychology as it gives people the opportunity to alter their behaviour for reasons that may include health, happiness, education or general wellbeing. Many researchers have found that behaviour self-modification programs are especially effective with immediate reinforcement and are more successful than other cognitive methods (Levitz Stunkard 1974; Galscow Klesges 1985). The effectiveness of these programs also depends on other factors such as the person’s commitment to change, the degree of preparation and the management of antecedents. In order to alter behaviour, it is more successful to partake in a behaviour modification program which includes reinforcements or punishments, rather than simply relying on other cognitive processes. One study, involving overweight people, showed a behaviour self-modification program which resulted in greater weight loss than other methods, including nutrition education (Levitz Stunkard 1974). Similarly the effectiveness of behaviour modification is seen in smokers who were able to abstain from smoking using self-reward strategies and positive self-statements at a greater rate than those who used other cognitive strategies (Galscow Klesges 1985). Immediate reinforcers have a much stronger effect on behaviour than a delayed punishment (Martin Pear 2007). Choosing a behaviour which will provide immediate gratification is often more likely to occur than an alternative behaviour, even if the punishment is somewhat severe. This includes cumulatively significant punishments, such as smoking increasing the risk of lung cancer, because the negative effect from each cigarette is too small to notice, whereas the immediate gratification produces enjoyment. This highlights the importance of immediate reinforcement when conducting a behaviour self-modification program. The methods of behaviour modification found to be successful vary, (Perri Richards 1977), however there are steps one can take to increase the likelihood of success. (Martin Pear 2007). Firstly, it is essential that problems are specified and goals are set. These goals should be in quantitative terms so that overall success can be easily determined. Secondly, there should be a commitment to change. This should be evident in the effort made to plan a successful behavioural modification including management of antecedents and appropriate reinforcements. A baseline of behaviour should be recorded for comparison with the following self-control program to quantify success and overall effect. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of behaviour modification on the number of hours spent studying and procrastinating. It was hypothesised that, in the treatment week, there would be a decrease in the number of hours spent procrastinating for the â€Å"decrease procrastination† group, and an increase in the number of hours spent studying in the â€Å"increase studying† group. Studying will be defined as any kind of reading, writing or other preparation which is related to the student’s University course work. It is the desired behaviour; Examples include reading background material for a lecture or tutorial, studying for quizzes or creating course notes. Procrastination will be defined as all other recreational activities with the exception of socialising and exercising. This is the delaying behaviour; Examples include watching TV, browsing the internet for pleasure or playing computer games. Method Subjects There were 715 second-year Psychology University students who were required to take part in this study as a tutorial exercise. Of these students, 628 created online accounts to record their behaviour. The number of students who successfully completed the task by recording data for all 8 days was 141. These 141 students provided all data used in this study. All students used data sheets to record their behaviour for all 8 days of the exercise. This data was logged online. Procedure Students were instructed to choose the behaviour that they wanted to change; They could decrease procrastination or increase studying. Students would, in the first four days, record both their studying and procrastination habits in a results table provided. Students were then required to devise their own strategy to either decrease procrastination or increase studying. These strategies aimed to complete goals set by the student which were improvements from their current state, but realistic and achievable. These plans included, preferably immediate to the behaviour being performed, reinforcement for the desired behaviour or punishment for the behaviour to be decreased. Since often this was not practical, there were options for alternative reinforcement/punishment schedules. Firstly, daily targets could be set to reach, or not exceed, a certain number of hours of study or procrastination. Secondly, rolling targets or limits could be used where appropriate reinforcement or punishment is given when a number of hours of a behaviour is met. Finally, students could use duration limits or targets on how long they engage in a behaviour once they have started. The independent variable was the 2 x (2) mixed design with the between subjects variables being modifying studying or procrastination, and the within-subjects variable being the targeted and non-targeted behaviour. The recorded hours became the dependant variable. Results There were no statistical differences found in the conditions of the baseline week. In the treatment week, time spent studying was found to be significantly different to the time spent procrastinating in the group who tried to decrease procrastination.

Al Qaidas Major Domestic Attack on the United States Research Paper

Al Qaidas Major Domestic Attack on the United States - Research Paper Example This includes the recent attack on U.S. embassy in Yemen and evidence proves the involvement of the Al-Qaida group in the attack (Ghobar and Blair 2012). The Al-Qaida group has been reignited by the launch of film â€Å"The Muhammad† and has openly announced increase in terrorist attacks against the US (Hasni 2012) Many researchers and analyst, studying Al-Qaida’s strategies and threats, forecasted that the death of their former leader Osama Bin Ladin, would be the major setback for the group. Unfortunately, this prediction turns out to be false as the strength of the Al-Qaida group does not look to shrink, with their new leader and new strategies (Geltzer 2010). After the death of Al-Qaida’s former leader and administrator, members of the group started spreading in different European countries with fake nationality, to escape from the US invasion in Afghanistan and Iran (Hollywood, Synder, Mckat, Boon 2004). Al-Qaida’s movement in South Asian countries, have also been reported, giving signs of their flexibility to change, with regard to the situation. So even now, they should be considered as a serious threat as they do not look to settle down or get weaken (Geltzer 2010). Joshua Geltzer, in his book highlights key factors, which have nailed in the Al-Qaida troop. This includes killing of Osama Bin Ladin, the most prominent figure of this group and the mastermind behind most attacks made by the Al-Qaida (Geltzer 2010). In addition, US army has been successful in tracing down locations of Al-Qaida’s members worldwide and eradicating them from the face of the earth. Moreover, their funds of around $140 million and a large number of weapons have been captured (Geltzer 2010). And they have been forced to leave their homeland in Afghanistan, from where they used to meet and plan their terrorist activities. But despite all these factors, Al-Qaida still stands as a big threat to Western or Non-Islamic countries, especially the U.S.A (Khalsa 2004).   

Attraction and Performance of Unilever Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Attraction and Performance of Unilever - Essay Example The company at global level has 120 different HR systems and it is therefore imperative to evolve integrated TM policy to adjust fast and survive in this environment. What differentiates Unilever as a potential employer to attract talent How an employee can derive satisfaction with his needs addressed from his work with the company "Through HR processes, we answer these needs and deliver solutions, experiences and stretch assignments that keep people engaged in their jobs" (Le Camus 2008). A business strategy howsoever strong can translate into profitable business result only when the right talent is attracted, developed and assigned the job compatible with the talent. The Unilever TM policy identifies the talent needs for future business strategy and mobilizes the talent to develop in them the capability to achieve business results. Performance orientation is vital to success in business. It becomes easier as a practice when the business development objectives of an organisation converge with the personal development objectives of its employees. ... It is the task of the line managers to deliver performance management by managing the talents through providing guidance with a view to achieving personal development of the employee and business development of the organisation within the desired timeframe. However, for delivering employee brand experience, the line managers need to be thoroughly aware of the importance of people management. It is therefore necessary for an organisation like Unilever to ensure that the line managers perform their tasks of grooming in a way that there are always people who can take up the mantle of team leadership. An executive must not leave the company without growing a replacement ready to take up his or her role. This sows the seeds for the organizational success as there are always mentors by whom new talents are nurtured resulting in each employee getting enriched by the experience and becoming an ambassador for the organisation. To be able to manage business of a global scale, an organisation needs to create a talent pool from all over the world. The operational units of Unilever are spread across diverse cultures creating complex barriers that need to be overcome through HRM 3 strategies coordinated on a global scale. TM in the context of Unilever involves managing employees coming from different parts of the world to perform across a wide range of level from domestic to global. The company has to develop a framework for International HRM to effectively address this diversity in the employees' background in respect of culture, education, economic, political and legal systems and create an integrated TM process to grow in the global market. The theme of this process is