Self-Directed Behavior: Self-Modification for Personal Adjustment [Paperback]

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

Book Description

Publication Date: October 24, 1996 | ISBN-10: 053434481X | ISBN-13: 978-0534344818 | Edition: 7th

This self-help text offers an introduction to the principles of learning. Providing scientifically-based instruction in the principles and practices of self-applied psychology, the authors help readers develop skills in self-analysis and personal problem solving. Step-by-step instructions for carrying out a programme of self-modification are included, as well as numerous examples and cases drawn from self-modification projects conducted by the authors' students.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Self Directed Behavior: Self-Modification For Personal Adjustment is an effective self-hep book that presents a workable set of skills readers can use for tackling their own self-modification programs, whether it be to improve self-confidence in dating, control overeating, implement an exercise program, or give up smoking. Self Directed Behavior teaches the basic skills necessary for a reader to modify the behavior of their own choice. And once readers have applied the principles outlined to a specific behavior, they'll find it easier to use those same skills in different settings. Of special value is the material by G. A. Marlatt on relapse prevention. Self-Directed Behavior is a valuable addition to any academic, counseling, personal, or community library self-help reference shelf. -- Midwest Book Review

About the Author

David L. Watson is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association and a Charter Fellow of the American Psychological Society. Watson is well known for his work in social anxiety, having developed the original scale to measure it. He has written textbooks in introductory psychology, social psychology and learning skills. Watson is an enthusiastic world traveler, having visited over 100 countries; he speaks French and Greek, and is a certified master gardener, specializing in xerophytic plants. He divides his life now between Honolulu and Albuquerque.

Roland George Tharp is a distinguished researcher, psychologist, educator, writer, and filmmaker. Over the course of his career he has received repeated recognition for excellence and leadership in every arena of his work. Tharp is professor emeritus of education and psychology at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and professor emeritus of psychology at the University of Hawaii. He is the founding director of the national Center for Research on Education, Diversity & Excellence (CREDE) and the Kamehameha Elementary Education Program (KEEP). His research focuses on human development, psychotherapy, community psychology, education, culture, anthropology, and applied linguistics. Tharp is considered a distinguished researcher, practitioner and author in the areas of education, educational reform, and the development of sociocultural theory. His work spans 42 years. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 402 pages
• Publisher: Wadsworth Pub Co; 7th edition (October 24, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 053434481X
• ISBN-13: 978-0534344818
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,743,353 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Secular Bible of Successful Self-Improvers, January 5, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Self-Directed Behavior: Self-Modification for Personal Adjustment (Paperback)

This book is widely regarded by scientifically-based psychologists as the single most effective tool available for people who want to craft themselves to become a finer person. I first read it about 12 years ago, and have used it as a kind of workbook ever since, in each of its successive editions. Everyone who has known me well has noted that I work to improve myself more than anyone they have ever known, and that I am also more successful in improving myself than anyone they have ever known. I agree. Well, I wish I could take all the credit. But the fact is that, if it were not for this incredible book, I would probably have remained just another highly motivated person spinning their wheels with self-help techniques that don't help. Thank goodness I found this book, and actively being rigorous, if you find scientific approaches distasteful, if you are not turned on by the prospect of changing yourself, if you are not willing to work real hard on an ongoing basis, if what you really would like is a quick fix (i.e., the book equivalent of a pill), if you love yourself just the way you are, then this book is not for you. Although it is very well-written and accesible, it will definitely require you to work and think and be rigorous and systematic to a degree that not many folks are willing to do. But if you think becoming an ever-finer person is worth working hard for, then this is THE book for you. Bar none.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't listen to the bad reviews, May 19, 2006

By 

Talyssa "Unusual is good" (Southern California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Self-Directed Behavior: Self-Modification for Personal Adjustment (Paperback)

I first had to read this for a college class and at the time I thought the same way some of the negative reviewers did -- Its boring, its "common sense". But the more I encountered situations with friends and family where I thought "you know this is something you could easily control with a behavioral therapy plan" the more I realized that what the professor I had said was true -- If you just skim the book without trying to apply the principles, it won't mean much to you. But if you think of it practically (and try a project of some kind yourself) you'll realize the power of it. Most people get discouraged when they try to change themselves because they try to do too much at once. Taking baby steps IS common sense, but if its so easy and anyone knew how to do it, we'd all be exactly the people we want to be, now wouldn't we?

I recommend this book to EVERYONE who says "I wish I could do this" or "I wish I didn't always think like that". If you want to change and you're willing to sit down, make a good plan, and follow through with it, this method will work for you. If you don't really want to change, or you don't believe you can, then you'll fail and it isn't the method's fault.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The most approachable, practical text book you'll ever read, September 3, 1998

By 

Sheri O. Zampelli "Author & Podcaster" (LA, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Self-Directed Behavior: Self-Modification for Personal Adjustment (Paperback)

I originally discovered this book as an assigned text for one of my courses in college. Most textbooks are dry and boring. This is one textbook I have kept and referred to often.

I teach a workshop series titled "Sabotage to Success" and this book has been a rich source of information for me and my workshop participants. This book is "scientific", perfect for the skeptics of self-change, but you don't have to be a scientist to read it. The suggested projects are outlined clearly and methodically. The authors have taken pains to revise and renew the book, improving it with each edition. They listen to student input and even have a response form in the back of the book.

I'm glad to see this book available on Amazon. I often recommend it to my workshop participants but haven't been able to refer them to a practical place to buy it. I paid at least $50 for this text in the University Bookstore. I wish there had been an Amazon.com when I bought it originally.