1. Describe the behavior that you will write about in your essay.
I used to have a bad behavior of coming home late and lying about where/what I was doing. I would come home late from playing in the streets, (sometimes doing bad things) and lie to my parents that I was doing homework.
2. Identify the voluntary behavior.
Sometimes when I would come home, after doing something bad outside, the lie would be too big or I would feel bad about lying; so I would voluntarily plead guilty to my mother. Or other times I would voluntarily stay home after school, do homework, and spend time with family: which was a pleasing behavior to my parents.
3. Identify the consequence: positive or negative reinforcement, or punishment that ensued. Be sure to understand each of these terms – do not misinterpret!
After either admitting my behavior or having my parents find out my displeasing behaviors, it would result in a scary punishment, which includes getting beat by dad either by his belt or a stick. I rarely remember positive reinforcements; only reinforcement Id get would be a negative. Which was not getting beat up if I behaved properly, or sometimes not having to do unpleasant jobs in the house: not having to take the garbage out as a kid
4. What other factors were involved? Identify how the behavior was shaped, made extinct or avoided.
The behavior was shaped by receiving punishment if I came home too late or did something bad outside. Also by receiving negative reinforcement if I behaved well. As a kid, it is obvious I would still break rules sometimes, but coming back home Id always be frightened thinking if dad is waiting for me in living room with a stick or belt in his hand then Id get a beating. However, if he is busy doing something else then I can breathe. However there I was still operant
