Self-Administered Behavior Modification to Reduce Smartphone Usage

Authors

  • Punithamalar Rajagopal Department of Psychology, Faculty of Human Development, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, Tanjong Malim, Perak, Malaysia
  • Asma Perveen Department of Psychology, Faculty of Human Development, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, Tanjong Malim, Perak, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37134/esss.vol5.1.7.2024%20

Keywords:

smartphone usage, behaviour modification, token-based DRO, self-monitoring, treatment integrity

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.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biography

Punithamalar Rajagopal, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Human Development, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, Tanjong Malim, Perak, Malaysia

Avicena Kids Sdn Bhd, Showme Eduwav, Country Garden, Danga Bay, Johor Bahru, Malaysia

References

Hersen, M. (1976). Single-case experimental designs. In International Handbook of Behavior Modification and Therapy: Second Edition (pp. 175-210). Boston, MA: Springer

US.Ching, S. Ching, S. M., Yee, A., Ramachandran, V., Sazlly Lim, S. M., Wan Sulaiman, W.

A., Foo, Y. L., & Hoo, F. K. (2015). Validation of a Malay version of the smartphone addiction scale among medical students in Malaysia. PloS one, 10(10), e0139337.Choliz, M. (2010). Mobile phone addiction: a point of issue. Addiction, 105(2), 373-374.

Craig, A. R. (2010). Self-administered behavior modification to reduce nail biting: Incorporating simple technology to ensure treatment integrity. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 3, 38-41.

Gui, M., & Gerosa, T. (2021). Smartphone pervasiveness in youth daily life as a new form of digital inequality. In Handbook of digital inequality (pp. 131-147). Edward Elgar Publishing.

Ithnain, N., Ghazali, S. E., & Jaafar, N. (2018). Relationship between smartphone addiction with anxiety and depression among undergraduate students in Malaysia. Int J Health Sci Res, 8(1), 163-171.Klonoff, D. C. (2007). Benefits and limitations of self-monitoring of blood glucose.

LeBlanc, L. A., Hagopian, L. P., & Maglieri, K. A. (2000). Use of a token economy to eliminate Excessive inappropriate social behavior in an adult with developmental disabilities. Behavioral Interventions, 15(2), 135-143.

Mobile Technology Fact Sheet. (2013, December 27). Retrieved November 30, 2015, from http://www.pewinternet.org/fact-sheets/mobile-technology-fact-sheet/

Downloads

Published

2024-08-31

How to Cite

Rajagopal, P., & Perveen, A. (2024). Self-Administered Behavior Modification to Reduce Smartphone Usage . Evaluation Studies in Social Sciences, 5(1), 98–105. https://doi.org/10.37134/esss.vol5.1.7.2024