Target behavior characteristics and self-modification through observable behavior

Behavior Modify

Development of a behavior is a gradual process through which it eventually becomes an automatic response. Such a process develops through frequent repetition and reinforcements. Good habits enable liberation, whereas bad habits are a cause of sufferings. Understanding how certain behavioral patterns are formed enables us to be aware of what we may be prone to acquiring as a behavior. (Jager, 2003)

According to behavioral theorists, learning experiences through time help shape the development of our personality. According to this theory, the influences that add to our learning experiences are from outside an individual, but within the immediate surroundings. Individuals can develop a particular behavior either by forming associations, suffering consequences or through simple observation. (Wood, Wood, Boyd, Eileen & Desmarais, 2008)

Cigarette smoking is a behavior that I acquired through time. Reflecting upon the behavioral theory and analyzing certain external factors that may have contributed to the development of this behavior, provides me with a valuable insight to my problem. Being the youngest in my family, I had been observing this behavior amongst my parents and older siblings since a very young age. The association that I had made with cigarette smoking was authority and independency. The elders of my family that smoked could do as they pleased.

The personality theory slightly differs from the behavioral theory. According to this model, genetics also play a role in behavior formation. Studies conducted on identical twins, in similar environments, reveal similar behavioral patters. Since there were no similar external stressors for my siblings and me, this theory is less likely to have contributed to my urge for cigarette smoking. (Dunmount, 2010)

Entering into adolescence, I tried my first cigarette. The immediate consequence was irritation of my airways leading to violent coughing. Since my first experience was not pleasurable, it did not positively reinforce my action. Experiencing a positive outcome after performing an act increases the motivation to repeat that act when encountering a similar situation. (Wood et al., 2008)

The feeling that I received from holding a cigarette was perhaps my sole motivation for lighting a cigarette the second time. Since this time, there were no side effects; the sense of pleasure overcame the negative association that I had previously made. The positive feelings of independency, maturity and being older worked as a positive reinforcement. (Wood et al., 2008)

Even though the association between lung cancer and cigarette smoking is one that I had well understood, it did not change my attitude towards smoking. A long-term negative outcome of a response does not influence the development of a habit, provided that the short-term outcome is positive. (Wood et al., 2008) Initially, my the negative outcome, that is coughing in response to cigarette smoking was quickly changed to a positive one, as I began to get used to the effects of smoke and started to experiencing the pleasant effects of nicotine.

This theory was developed by B.F.Skinner who believed that bad habits are developed due to reinforcement. Skinner called this Operant conditioning. The word operant reflects on how the environment operates in the development of a certain behavior. Briefly, a certain act may result either in reinforcement, which increases the likelihood of repetition of a particular act, or punishment, which decreases the likelihood of repeating that act. It is also important to note that the terms of punishment and reinforcement are only applicable if there are measurable changes in behavior. (Wood et al., 2008)

This stimulus-response-consequence model that was put forward by Skinner was further extended by Richard Hernstein who explained attitudes and traits. According to him, attitudes develop as a response to a given stimulus that eventually becomes stable. (Wood et al., 2008) For example, feeling older reinforced my smoking act. Eventually, lighting a cigarette amongst a group of other smoking individuals became a stable act.

The social cognitive theory also explains well the acquisition, as well as the maintenance of my smoking behavior. This theory describes learning as an inter-relationship of environmental, personal and behavioral factors. According to this theory, expectations, self-ef-cacy, and intentions are also important determinants of behavior development. The social and environmental factor involved in my case was the constant observation of individuals who smoke. Expecting a sense of belonging and feeling older were perhaps the personal factors that led me to smoking for the first time. Fulfillment of these expectations led to the maintenance of such a habit. (Dunmount, 2010)

First, I would only smoke socially with my group of friends. Eventually I became tolerant to the effects of nicotine, thus requiring an increased dose to produce the same effects. The number of cigarettes I smoked increased gradually, from one a day, to a few packs a day. This behavior pattern eventually became so strong that I would often find myself holding a cigarette without remembering the decision to pick it up and light it. (Dunmount, 2010)

In the past few years, I have tried to quit smoking on my own. This effort was mediated by the realization of the harmful long-term effects of cigarette smoking. My first attempt at quitting was 3 years ago when a man in my neighborhood was diagnosed with lung cancer. This man was a heavy smoker and could not quit despite his disease. Initially, it was the fear of being so addicted that attempted me to try and quit. The fear and observation of the symptoms of lung cancer are examples of positive punishment. (Wood et al., 2008)

At this point, besides social and cognitive factors, a short physical need of nicotine contributed to my failed attempt. The negative sensations that I felt on trying to quit made it harder than I had thought it would be. The attempt at quitting was met with adverse outcomes.