Self-Directed Behavior [Paperback]

David L. Watson (Author), Roland G. Tharp (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0495093246 | ISBN-13: 978-0495093244 | Publication Date: August 8, 2006 | Edition: 9

Achieve your life goals with SELF-DIRECTED BEHAVIOR! With abundant strategies based on research, this psychology text guides you through exercises for developing skills in self-analysis and teaches you how to apply these skills in different settings. Case examples demonstrate how other students have successfully used the book's techniques, including one student who used shaping to gradually increase her ability to study, and another who learned to be more sure of himself on dates by consciously modeling a friend's confident behavior.

Product Details

• Paperback: 356 pages
• Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing; 9 edition (August 8, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0495093246
• ISBN-13: 978-0495093244
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #36,743 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #39 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Behavioral Sciences > Behavioral Psychology

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Want to change your behavior? Start here., September 2, 2009

By 

Edwin R. Anderson "H.M., T.E., P.A.L." (Langley, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Self-Directed Behavior (Paperback)

This delightful book on self-control is a largely undiscovered jewel. I have read over thirty books on life coaching and not one of those books mentions this lovely volume. Given that Watson & Tharp put forward a research based program of self-modification and given that life coaching is generally lacking it is presentation of supporting evidence, this oversight needs to be corrected. As behavioral learning theorists, Watson & Tharp address multiple skills that are needed to successfully change your own behavior. They look at how to measure your behavior; they examine how to set goals and subgoals; they stress the importance of overlearning, of being specific, and of looking at antecedents and consequents of behavior. Their discussion of shaping behavior is critical to coaching -- new behavior is best learned through small steps that become habitual and progressively approach the final behavior you seek. They constructively apply the idea of self-reinforcement. Taken as a whole, their model is specific, and their advice for how to go about changing your behavior is practical. Their research confirms that their approach works. The authors see human capacity as primarily open ended, but not in some vague, wishful thinking way. They see the development of self-control as a life long practice dependent on the learning of particular skills. Great book, I can't recommend it too much.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't know why this isnt a self help best seller, May 12, 2007

By 

Aaron S - See all my reviews

This review is from: Self-Directed Behavior (Paperback)

Pretty much the best self help book I have ever read. Watson takes a scientific approach and gives you instructions on how to change any behavior you'd like.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars very helpful, September 25, 2007

By 

Sammy - See all my reviews

This review is from: Self-Directed Behavior (Paperback)

This book is very clear and helpful, especially for those who are unfamiliar with behavior modification techniques. It provides a great introduction to self-regulation with many typical self-change examples, such quitting smoking, alcoholism, and many other topics too. I suggest picking up a copy of this if you are serious about changing a behavior with a scientific approach in a step by step process.