Got Floss?Got Floss?

Psychology 671Psychology 671

Katie BeckstromKatie Beckstrom

Dr. MalottDr. Malott

8/11/118/11/11

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ProblemProblem I was not a regular flosser… to say the least.I was not a regular flosser… to say the least. I always dreaded hearing the dentist ask “So, how often I always dreaded hearing the dentist ask “So, how often

do you floss?” do you floss?” Although I feared the lack of gum health and hated Although I feared the lack of gum health and hated

admitting my degeneracy… admitting my degeneracy… I still didn’t floss regularly. I still didn’t floss regularly.

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Competing ContingenciesCompeting ContingenciesI had plenty of good reasons not to I had plenty of good reasons not to floss!floss!

HomeworkHomeworkSpending time with friends Spending time with friends and of course…and of course…SLEEP!!!SLEEP!!!

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Natural Competing Natural Competing ContingencyContingency

Will getslightly less

sleep

Will get given amount of

sleep

I flossmy teeth

BEFORE AFTERBEHAVIOR

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The natural contingency did not The natural contingency did not control my behavior.control my behavior.

Surprise, surprise!Surprise, surprise!

PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT!MANAGEMENT!

So the natural solution is to use…So the natural solution is to use…

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B

(Behaviorman)

The SM InterventionThe SM InterventionTarget behavior: Floss once dailyTarget behavior: Floss once daily

Intervention: Pay $1 for each day I don’t Intervention: Pay $1 for each day I don’t

floss floss Contingency: Analog to avoidance of loss Contingency: Analog to avoidance of loss

Deadline (SDeadline (SDD): Before bed every day): Before bed every day

PM manager: Kim- roommatePM manager: Kim- roommate

Start Date: June 20, 2011Start Date: June 20, 2011

End Date: indefinite (hopefully!) End Date: indefinite (hopefully!)

Ineffective Natural Ineffective Natural ContingencyContingency

Infinitesi-mally

greater level of

gum health

Given levelof gum health

I flossmy teeth

BEFORE AFTERBEHAVIOR

Performance-Management Performance-Management ContingencyContingency

Will not haveto pay Kim

$1 tomorrow

Will have topay Kim $1tomorrow

I flossmy teeth

BEFORE AFTERBEHAVIOR

Don’t fear having

to pay Kim $1 tomorrow

Fear having to pay Kim

$1 tomorrow

I flossmy teeth

BEFORE AFTERBEHAVIOR

Inferred Theoretical Inferred Theoretical ContingencyContingency

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This kid’s got the right idea.

Usually with self management,you show proof you’ve completed the task…

But Kim didn’t think that was necessary.

So how did it go?

I only flossed once during baseline.

But since I started the intervention, I haven’t missed a single day!

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Target Behavior GraphTarget Behavior GraphBaseline Self-Management

Flossing

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Weeks

Flo

ssin

g 1

x/d

ay

Goal

Benefit MeasureBenefit Measure

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I didn’t record a benefit measure,

but my theory is that with less gunk in my teeth,

I’ll probably have better breath!

As long as I stick to minty floss.

Problems During Problems During InterventionIntervention

No serious problemsNo serious problemsThere were a few times when I There were a few times when I almostalmost didn’t floss because I was didn’t floss because I was too tired. too tired.

But I just didn’t But I just didn’t

want to see that want to see that

little dip in my graph.little dip in my graph.

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RecycleRecycleSince I met my goal every week, I did Since I met my goal every week, I did

not need to recycle.not need to recycle.

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If I had started to slip, If I had started to slip, I would have I would have

increased my penalty increased my penalty to $2 or $3.to $2 or $3.

That would add up quicker!…And I’m sure Kim would have

appreciated that.

My Results My Results It was a SUCCESS!It was a SUCCESS!Flossing has become a part of my nightly Flossing has become a part of my nightly

routine.routine.And thanks to my And thanks to my Jewish mother, Jewish mother, I don’t really I don’t really need the $1 penalty anymore…need the $1 penalty anymore…

I just don’t want to break I just don’t want to break my perfect streak!my perfect streak!

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My CommentsMy Comments I’d like to continue flossing every day!I’d like to continue flossing every day! I (relatively) enjoy getting gunk out of I (relatively) enjoy getting gunk out of

my teeth that might otherwise be stuck my teeth that might otherwise be stuck in there for a while. (ewww)in there for a while. (ewww)

But I have a feeling that sleeping may But I have a feeling that sleeping may again become much more effective at again become much more effective at controlling my behavior, despite the $1 controlling my behavior, despite the $1 penalty. penalty.

I’m going to need to continue reporting I’m going to need to continue reporting weekly in order to keep it up.weekly in order to keep it up.

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THANK YOU!!THANK YOU!!Any Questions

or

Comments?

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