BACKGROUND

The purpose of this assignment is for students to demonstrate and apply their knowledge ofoperant conditioning principles and methods used to assess the efficacy of a behaviourmodificationprogram.

Behaviour modification is a process where a specific target behaviour is systematically changedusing conditioning principles. It has been used very successfully for many different types ofproblems in a variety of contexts (such as schools, businesses, hospitals, mental health facilitiesand with animals). One valuable contribution has been helping people change their ownbehaviour (self-modification).

INSTRUCTIONS

For this assignment, students are required to write a Behaviour Modification Research Proposalon a chosen behaviour (see below), using the principles and theories of behaviour modificationandbehaviouralresearchdesigns andmethods.Thepurposeofthisassignmentis twofold:

1. To design a behaviour modification program to modify a target behaviour using theprinciples of operant conditioning (NOT classical conditioning). You can design abehaviour modification program to increase a desired behaviour or reduce a problembehaviour (fromthelist provided).
2. To propose an appropriate research or experimental design that would test/monitor theefficacyof your intervention(behaviour modification)

BEHAVIOUR MODIFICATION RESEARCH PROPOSAL TOPICS

You are required to select ONE of the following scenarios for the assignment. Design aninterventionprogramtochange/modify:

• Caffeineintake
• Fruitandvegetable intake
• Physicalactivity
• Cigarettesmoking
• Alcoholconsumption
• Sugarconsumption
• Socialmedia/smartdevice use

The aim of the assignment is to change an observable behaviour using principles of operantconditioning. You are required to be objective in designing the behaviour modification plan andin proposing an evaluation design to test it. Note that if you base the assignment on a behaviourthatyoupersonallyidentifywith itcanbemore difficult.Note: Donotchooseabehaviourthat

is distressing to you. If you do experience distress, please utilise student support and well-beingservices.

RESOURCES

You are expected to produce a research proposal that demonstrates your understanding ofbehaviour modification, the use of operant conditioning principles in interventions designed tochange behaviour, and the relevant methods used to assess the efficacy of a behaviourmodification intervention. You are expected to source your own references relevant to yourtopic.

REQUIREMENTSANDFORMATTING

The word limit is 1200 words in length (+/-10%). This word count includes in-text citations butnot the reference list. Any words exceeding 10% over the limit will not be read by markers andwillnotcontribute toyour markfortheassignment.

Your Behaviour Modification Research Proposal should be formatted according to APA (7^thedition) guidelines, including (but not limited to) headings, double spacing, citations andreferences. It needs to be structured according to the headings provided below and shouldinclude the components outlined under each heading. Students will be marked on the researchproposalaccording toamarkingrubricprovided onCanvas.

Not that some of the proposal is like a laboratory report in some ways however other sectionsare different. If you have not written a laboratory report previously please emailcarly.pymont@canberra.edu.auforsome additionalsupport

Organiseyourassignmentasfollows:

TitleofPaper (accuratedescriptioninlessthan12words)

Background (note that you do not need to include this as a heading in the proposal as thissectionactsasanintroduction.However,youdoneed toprovide atitleofthepaper)

• Introduceanddefinebehaviourmodificationusingempirical
• Provide a brief structured and coherent rationale, using empirical sources, for thedevelopment of a behaviour modification plan for the target behaviour you have selected.Whyisoperantconditioning appropriatein thissituation?
• Define the aim of the Behaviour Modification proposal (e.g., increase or decrease targetbehaviour andtowhat degree).

ProposedBehaviourModificationPlan

Provide a full description of the behaviour modification program you propose for the targetbehaviour, and ensure you explain how, why, when, and where you propose to change (eitherby increasing or decreasing) the target behaviour according to operant conditioning principles.Includereferencesandempiricalresourcestosupportandjustifyyourproposedprogram.

Ensureyouincludethefollowing:

• Define Target behaviour. Provide an appropriate operational definition of the target
• Reinforcement schedule. Describe the reinforcement program you would propose based onoperant conditioning principles and justify it (including, where relevant, why you haveselected particular reinforcement schedules and not others, what appropriate reward orpunishments might beandwhy)usingempirical
• Discuss any challenges or barriers that may need to be identified oraddressedinimplementing theplanandhowtheymanaged.

EvaluationDesign

This section provides an opportunity to propose and plan a research design that will test theefficacy of your behaviour modification program. This section is similar to the Methods sectionina scientificreportandshouldinclude detailsasdescribed below:

• Participant/s.Whoistargetedintheprogram(age, andgender ofparticipant).Their

presentingleveloftargetbehaviourandrecruitment.

• Describe the design proposed to assess the efficacy of the behaviour modificationplan(e.g.,experimental,survey,interview,observation).Lecture1mighthelphere
• Materials & Measures. Describe and justify what measures or equipment will be used toassess the success of the program and when these will be implemented. Materials for thereinforcement/punishment should be in the above section so these are the measurement how bywhom
• Briefly describe the procedure for the evaluation, including (where relevant)the timelineofthe evaluationandits components,anyethicalissuesto consider.

References

• Provide a reference list for all sources cited in the proposal (note, your reference list is notincludedinyourwordcount).
• In-text citations (note, these do contribute to your word count) and your reference list mustconformto the7^theditionformat prescribedbytheAmericanPsychologicalAssociation

(APA). For further information on citations and references in psychological writing, studentsshould refer to one of the writing for psychology texts outlined in the unit outline, or the 7^theditionof theAPApublicationmanual.

Moredetailsofwhatisneededineachsectioncanbe foundinthe marking rubric