The Role of External Variables in Self-Reinforcement

Abstract

The present paper reviews self-reinforcement research in behavior modification. This research suggests that a wide range of responses can be altered, including classroom deportment, academic performance, and studying as well as eating behaviors, smoking, nail-biting, and others. A major area of debate in the self-reinforcement literature is the extent to which external influences contribute to or account for behavior changes usually attributed to self-control. Without embracing a particular conceptual position, examination of the research suggests that several external variables might contribute to self-reinforcement procedures. These variables are rarely acknowledged in investigations as possible sources of influence and include a history of external control in the experiment, criterion setting for the response, self-monitoring, surveillance of the self-reinforcement process, instructional sets, and direct reinforcement or punishment contingencies for the self-reinforcing response or the target behavior. Investigation of these variables will help enumerate both the conceptual basis of self-reinforcement and reveal procedures to enhance the effects of self-reinforcement as a behavior modification technique.