Family

Family

Operant conditioning is defined as a type of learning in which behavior is strengthened if followed by a reinforcer or diminished if followed by a punisher. To me, most people learn this way, a positive response gains a positive outcome and a negative response gains a negative outcome. I have learned insightful new ways to effect change in my life through this project.
When you think about modifying an existing behavior, such as getting more exercise or wanting to lose weight what comes to mind is all the programs that are offered in the world. Everywhere you look people are advertising how this pill will help you lose weight or you need this specific piece of equipment to achieve your desired body type. For me, these specific topics, while a lot of people would be attracted to did not appeal to me. I am a married mother of two boys, they are 8 years old and 2 years old, who works a full time job and goes to college part time. I hardly have time to do laundry for my family, let alone think about going to the gym. I do work in a facility that has a gym in the same building but while I am on my lunch break, I am in the conference room doing school work or balancing my checkbook. Because of my busy schedule, I decided to modify my evening routine with my family.
I choose this because before starting this project, my evenings were definitely chaotic. I got off of work at 5:15. From there I went to pick up my boys from the babysitter and then home, some of the time. There are many days where I would have to go to the store to pick up random items or my older son would have soccer or baseball practice. When we finally made it home, I would then try to figure out what was for dinner. Once that was determined I would cook dinner, and try to have it done by 7:00. Most of the time though, I was not finished with dinner until around 7:45. After we finally sit down and have dinner, it is bath time for the boys. We hope they are in bed by 9:00, even though I would have...

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