Self-administered behavior modification to reduce smartphone usage

Punithamalar Rajagopal

Abstract

Habitual or undesirable behaviours are a common target for self-managed behaviour-modification programs. The current self-experiment used an Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) reversal design to study the effects of the intervention on smartphone usage. The 56 days of study consisted of self-monitoring and differential reinforcement of other behaviours treatment. A visual Android application installed in the device allowed the observer to monitor and keep track of the treatment progress and outcomes and to ensure treatment integrity. Results provide the support that the overall treatment package was successful in decreasing the duration of smartphone usage. This study demonstrates that self-administered behaviour-modification techniques can be successfully designed and implemented to reduce undesirable behaviour with sufficient knowledge of behavioural principles. Keywords: smartphone usage, behaviour modification, token-based DRO, self-monitoring, treatment integrity

References

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