1. Tackling Exercise: A
Behavior Analytic Story
Psychology 460
Ryan Morey
TA: Lauren Cavalli
12/07/11

2. Problem
 Low frequency of exercising
Low motivation to
commitment/adherence
Outcomes are too small, though
cumulative

3. Competing Contingencies
 Every other activity competes
Homework
Sitting Around
TV
Even chores around the house

4. Natural Competing Contingency
BEFORE BEHAVIOR AFTER
Given level of Exercise 15 mins less
free time 15 mins of free time

5. The SM Intervention
 Target behavior: Exercising for 15 mins
 Intervention: Avoidance of loss of $3
– Contingencies: Analog to avoidance &
Direct-acting escape
 Deadline (SD): 11pm every weekday
 PM manager: Roommate (Tyler Nienhuis)
 Start Date: 10/10/11
 End Date: ?

6. Ineffective Natural Contingency
BEFORE BEHAVIOR AFTER
Inf. Greater
Exercise for
Given level level of
15 mins
of health health

7. Performance-Management Contingency
BEFORE BEHAVIOR AFTER
Won’t lose
Will lose $3 Exercise for
$3 by
by Sunday 15 mins
Sunday

8. Inferred Theoretical Contingency
BEFORE BEHAVIOR AFTER
Fear of loss Exercise for No fear of
of $3 15 mins loss of $3

9. Target Behavior Graph
Exercise
6
Baseline Intervention Recycle
5
Days of Exercise
4
3 New goal
2 line
1
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Weeks

10. Problems During Intervention
 Performance manager
Needed more consistency
 Criteria
Lowered days of exercise for initial
weeks

11. Recycle
 Criteria was recycled
Started 3 days a week 15 mins each vs 5
days
Raised criteria after 10th week

12. My Results
 Worked great!
 I exercise fairly consistently now
 SM is still in place

13. My Comments
 Added outcomes worked well
 Needed more frequent follow-ups
with manager initially

14. THANK YOU!!
Any Questions or
Comments?