Behavior Modification Project: Research Paper Instructions Psyc 320
Behavior Modification Project: Research Paper Instructions Psyc 320
Abstract: We evaluated the associations of risk perception, self-efficacy, and trust with two health promotion behaviors (food habits and exercise) and depressive mood. Diabetic patients aged between 40 and 64 (n = 1195) were included in the analyses. Risk perception worsened behavioral changes in terms of food habits and depression, whereas self-efficacy and trust improved food habits, exercise, and depression; trust improved exercise and depression. In conclusion, self-efficacy and trust appear to be more beneficial than risk perception for positive behavioral changes and for improving depression in diabetic patients. However, their influence on behavioral changes may be different according to the types of behaviors.
You will write a 3-5-page, APA formatted, research paper that will aid you in the Behavior Modification Project. You should reference your textbook and at least 4 additional peer-reviewed journal articles. The research paper will include a title page, 150–250-word abstract, 3-5-page body, and references page. The body of your research paper will have an introduction, Section I on your target behavior, Section II on your treatment method, and a conclusion. You can give Section I and Section II appropriate titles for your paper.
The first section will focus on peer-reviewed research that others have already done on your target behavior, or a similar behavior. How did they study this behavior? What treatment did they use? Was it effective?
The second section of your paper will require you to research the treatment you intend to use to change your behavior. Choose one of the chapters from your textbook (Reinforcement, Token Economies, Behavioral Contracts, Using Punishment: Time-Out and Response Cost, etc.). You also may cite any peer-reviewed journal articles that focus on your treatment method, or in which the authors used it to treat their target behavior.
Submit your research paper to SafeAssign for a rating. This assignment is due by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Monday of Module/Week 3.
Behavior Modification Project: Research Paper Instructions Psyc 320 Sample Paper
Rise and Shine: Behavior Modification for an Earlier Start to the Day
Abstract
The central focus of this paper concerns the personal behavior modification project of its author to adjust her rising time from some time in the 7:00 hour to no later than 6:15 every morning. This paper is divided into two sections. The first section discusses research on factors involved in the target behavior to adjust the participant’s circadian rhythm; namely, diet, hormones, and age. High protein and carbohydrate (in the form of bread and other refined grains) intake in the morning were found to be associated with stable circadian rhythms. Next, the timing of the peak of the hormone cortisol (which is associated with wakefulness) can be adjusted with earlier wake up times without impacting the timing of melatonin (which is associated with sleepiness) peaks in the evening. Lastly, early rising and retiring times have been found to be common in older adults. These healthy circadian rhythms remained unaffected even when the adults took evening naps. The second and last section of this paper addresses the token economy treatment method in behavior modification. In a token economy method, tokens (conditioned reinforcers) are received after the desired behavior occurs and later exchanged for backup reinforcers. Token economies have a wealth of empirical support for their effectiveness regarding behavior modification across various life forms (both humans and animals) as well as diverse cultures in the world.
Rise and Shine: Behavior Modification for an Earlier Start to the Day
The purpose of this behavior modification project will be to increase the behavioral deficit of the participant’s rising time in the morning to earlier than her son’s rising time. “Each day” will be defined as Sunday through Saturday or, in other words, every day of the week. The participant’s son gets up at 7:15 each day. The participant currently rises between 7:00 and 8:00 and wishes to change the time to no later than 6:15 each day. Therefore, the target behavior is a rising time of 6:15 each morning. The target behavior will be defined as exiting the bed, kneeling and saying morning prayer, and beginning the process of getting ready for the day with no re-entry into the bed until sleep time in the evening.
The participant chose to address this behavioral deficit in order to increase overall productivity of the day, promote family peace and functionality, and to protect a healthy circadian rhythm into late adulthood. According to Hilditch, Dorrian, and Banks (2016), sleep inertia, the period of grogginess after waking from sleep, is most impairing to performance immediately after waking, but gradually dissipates. The participant intends to rise earlier each day to allow sufficient time for sleep inertia to dissipate before interacting with her son and addressing his needs in order to promote family functionality. In addition, the participant intends to use the time in the morning before her son gets up to begin homework assignments in order to increase daily productivity. Finally, since research has shown that circadian rhythms can change with age (Yoon et al., 2003), the target behavior is intended to prevent the development of senescence-related disruptions in late adulthood.
Research on the Target Behavior
The target behavior to rise by 6:15 every morning is intended to make a slight, but permanent adjustment to the sleep/wake cycle of the participant. This will be done by aiming to change the participant’s circadian rhythm. Morris, Aeschbach, and Scheer (2012) defined circadian rhythms as the 24-hour internal timing system that synchronizes biological needs with behaviors such as working, eating, sleeping, and exercising. Research has shown that several factors can affect circadian rhythms, such as diet, hormones, and age.