Self-directed behavior

All voluntary behavior starts outas other-directed, in the sense that we follow someone else s direction (Geller 1999, 44). This direction can be in the form of training, procedures, etc. After leaning what to do, behaviors enter a self-directed stage in which the person performs the activity in a manner that will elicit a positive response. The self-directed activity may not always result in the desired behavior. Changing self-directed behaviors is often difficult because the motivators are personal (Geller 1999,44). 

Of course self-directed behavior is not always desirable. When we take a short cut, for example, we intentionally choose to ignore a safety precaution to perform more efficiently or with more comfort or convenience. In this state, people are consciously incompetent. Attempts to change self-directed behavior from incompetent to competent is often difficult, because it usually requires a relevant change in personal motivation. 

Before a bad habit can be changed to a good one, the target behavior must become self-directed. In other words, people need to become aware of their undesirable habit (as in at-risk behavior) before adjustment is possible. Then, if the person is motivated to improve, their new self-directed behavior can become automatic. 

Turning a risky habit (when the person is unconsciously incompetent) into safe self-directed behavior. 

Note that supportive intervention is typically not preceded by a specific activator. In other words, when you support self-directed behavior you don t need to provide an instructional antecedent. The person knows what to do. You don t need to activate desired behavior with a promise (an incentive) or a threat (a disincentive). The person is already motivated to do the right thing. 

Watson, D.L., and R.G. Tharp. 1997. Self-Directed Behavior Sdf-Modification for Personal Adjustment. 7th ed. Pacific Grove, CA Brooks/Cole Pubhshing Company. 

Watson, D. L. and Tharp, R. G., Self-directed Behavior Self-Modification for Persoruil Adjustment, 7th ed.. Brooks/Cole Publishing, Pacific Grove, CA, 1977. 

Chapter 10 showed how this principle guides the development of more effective activators and Chapter 11 outlined procedures for improving the motivational power of consequences. In Chapter 9,1 introduced the concept of self-directed behavior, implying that we can provide our own activators to direct our behavior, as exemplified in Figure 20.4. Then, when we comply with a self-arranged activator, we can use positive self-talk as a motivating consequence. 

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