Extinction of the Behavior of Nail Biting

¶ … Target Behavior

Nail biting (onychophagia) is a bad habit, and the target behavior is the complete extinction of this habit. The baseline behavior has been observed and plotted in the following table:

Dimensions of Measurement

Frequency and Duration

Frequency and Duration

Frequency and Duration

Baseline Measurement

Once per hour for minimum of ten seconds

Once per 90 minutes for minimum of ten seconds

Once per 120 minutes for minimum of five seconds

Function of Baseline Behavior

Distraction from work

Distraction and detachment

Distraction and frustration channeling

Methods to observe and acquire baseline behavior include both the frequency and duration of the behavior, observed over the course of three days. The baseline measurement prior to the intervention included a notation of both frequency and duration of the nail biting. On day one, the frequency was once per hour, but on days two and three the frequency went down in increments of 30 minutes. By day two, the frequency had lowered to once per 90 minutes and on day three, the frequency of nail biting was once every 120 minutes. The duration of the behavior was measured in seconds, with day one durations and day two durations both lasting ten seconds. Day three durations were five seconds or more. It was determined that the core function of the baseline behavior of nail biting was to distract from work and other stressors in life, creating a false sense of detachment and means by which to channel suppressed emotions like frustration and anger.

Nail biting is a bad habit that can lead to some health problems. Some of the dangers of nail biting include the spread of disease from placing the unwashed hands into the mouth. Dirt and bacteria may collect under the nails, and biting the nails means ingesting that bacteria. Moreover, nail biting can cause redness and swelling, leading to bacterial or fungal infections (Chan, 2014). Nail biting may spread some dermatological problems like warts (Chan, 2014). In addition to problems with the hands and nail beds, biting the nails can lead to teeth problems due to the continual biting.

Psychologists sometimes classify onychophagia as a form of "self-mutilation," related to cutting behaviors ("How to Stop Nail Biting," n.d.). In fact, nail biting may be a form of "pathological grooming" linked to obsessive-compulsive disorder and related behavioral issues (Standen, 2012). Therefore, a behavioral intervention may prevent the flowering of both physical and psychological problems. To extinguish the behavior, a comprehensive baseline system may help identify the specific interventions that are most helpful.

First, it is important to recognize the function of nail biting. Nail biting serves several psychological functions including the relief of stress and anxiety, the reductions of feelings of loneliness or frustration, and the expression of obsession ("How to Stop Nail Biting," n.d.). The goal of the behavioral change will be to find coping mechanisms that serve similar functions of stress relief and frustration reduction, but which are healthy behaviors. Ultimately, the goal is to extinguish the behavior of nail biting entirely.

Behavior Intervention Plan

Based on the goals of extinction and/or development of productive habits leading to lifestyle changes, it will be important to focus on both the problem and the solution. Focusing on the problem of nail biting allows for a comprehensive method to reduce the baseline behavior via direct changes to the nails such as cropping them neat and short and receiving regular manicures. The use of bitter nail polish may or may not be helpful during this initial stage.

Next, it will be important to come up with a list of potential substitute behaviors that fulfill the core function of stress relief, distraction, and frustration channeling. Gibson (n.d.) suggests playing a musical instrument, which requires the use of the hands. Similarly, taking up a craft of some sort may distract the person without causing nail biting. Exercise, meditation, and yoga are other methods of substituting one behavior for another, while serving the core function of the nail biting.

Antecedent Changes

Antecedent changes focus on the triggers for nail biting. If the triggers mainly include work, then two antecedent changes include changing the work environment and changing the response to the work stressor. Changing the work environment includes quitting the job or asking for a promotion or shift in role. Changing the response to the stressor includes learning how to cognitively associate the work-related triggers with joy instead of stress.

Consequence Modifications

Positive Reinforcement: Each hour that passes without nail biting will result in the provision of a spa treatment.

Negative Reinforcement: Each hour that passes without nail biting will result in the elimination of one chore from the agenda.

Negative Punishment: Each time nail biting occurs, the person can watch one less hour of television.

Natural Consequences: Paying attention to the ugly condition of the nails vs. admiring healthy nails after a manicure and a week without biting.

Barriers to Treatment

Barriers to treatment include the possibility that the behavior was rooted in parental modeling or is linked to obsessive-compulsive disorder, attention deficit disorder, or other deeper problems. If these deeper issues prove relevant, treatment might take longer than expected. To overcome these barriers, I would recommend the use of psychological counseling, perhaps within the cognitive-behavioral school, as well as psychotherapy that addresses childhood issues.