Customer Reviews

Self-Directed Behavior

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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.

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.

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.

Purchased this book for one of my MBA classes. This is really insightful on how to change your behavior. This is a very practical book which show tools you can apply directly to self-improvement.

Unlike most self-help books, this one actually works. Everything's in layman's terms so anyone with or without a psychology background can easily understand it. Not to say it isn't strongly grounded in actual empirical research findings. Highly recommend this to anyone look for a long-term change in their habits, behaviors, or even thought patterns. Author has a good sense of humor too.

I was required to buy this book for a class, but I think it is great for an independent study as well. If you're interested in self-help or changing something about yourself, this book will surely help you!

My girlfriend is going to CSULA in Los Angeles, CA. She is taking counseling class. This is one of the textbook. I am buying this for her from Amazon.com because I TRUST Amazon.com.