Managing Impulses

Module

1

Ruled by an Impulse

In section 1, you'll meet Alex just before his twelfth birthday. What Alex wants more than anything is a smartphone to replace his clunky flip phone. When Alex gets his wish, he winds up having great difficulty controlling himself, much to the dismay of those around him. In this section you'll learn to define and identify impulses, consider the effects of acting on impulses, identify instances of impulsive behavior, and reflect upon your own impulsive behavior. You'll also learn a bit about the executive function of the brain and consider your own interaction with digital devices.

Module

2

Triggers of Impulsive Behaviors

In section 2, Alex begins working on some ways to reduce his impulsive use of his smartphone. When it looks like Alex still has trouble managing his impulsive gaming, his phone is confiscated. A professional counselor introduces Alex and his family to the concept of behavioral addiction and behavioral triggers. In this section you'll learn to identify the signs of behavioral addiction and consider the effects. You'll also define the meaning of a trigger and examine your own triggers.

Module

3

Strategies for Managing Impulses

In section 3, Alex starts working with a checklist to help him manage all his tasks. Alex feels pressure from his pal, Greg, and the thought of having many tasks to do, but his parents help him get organized. Alex ends up feeling good about having successfully completed his tasks. In this section, you'll learn to practice prioritizing Alex's tasks and analyze the reasons behind selecting certain tasks before others. You'll determine the best order for the items in your own checklist. You'll classify your own goals and finally, you'll apply a checklist system to organize your tasks.

Module

4

Making Changes

In section 4, Alex once again begins losing control of his phone use. During another visit with the counselor, Alex and family look closely at specific triggers. They identify the things that push Alex toward impulsive behavior and make a plan for managing them. Alex and his mom also go to talk with Greg and his mom and agree on some common guidelines for the boys' gaming and other activities. In this section you'll learn to recall the definition of a trigger, identify, and categorize triggers. You will analyze trigger management strategies and judge the effectiveness of your chosen strategies for reducing impulsive behavior.