Self-Directed Behavior: Self-Modification for Personal Adjustment - Hardcover

Watson, David L.; Tharp, Roland G.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0534189784 ISBN 13: 9780534189785

Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing, 1996

Synopsis

More than just a self-help book, this Sixth Edition of Watson and Tharp's highly successful text continues to provide readers with step-by-step instructions for carrying out a program of self-modification. As readers experience behavior modification in the laboratory of their own lives, they learn sound scientific principles and coping skills for personal problem solving that will be with them for the rest of their lives. Although the authors deal with specific topic areas such as improving study habits, managing stress, or overcoming depression, the book does not narrowly focus on overcoming specific problems. Instead, it emphasizes behavior modification principles students can apply again and again...Watson and Tharp guide students through exercises for developing skills in self-analysis and provide them with concrete information on how to achieve personal goals. Case reports of their own students' self-change projects and others solicited from users of previous editions provide models for success. In addition, the authors include data from empirical field testing of the text indicating that students in courses using this book have achieved self-change goals at percentages varying from 66% to 84% (e.g., Clements & Beidleman, 1981; Hamilton, 1980; Rakos & Grodek, 1984).

About this title

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 time now between Honolulu and Albuquerque.

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

Edition details

• Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing
• Publication date: 1996
• ISBN 10: 0534189784
• ISBN 13: 9780534189785
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 6
• Number of pages: 356