Which technique focuses on monitoring one’s own behavior to identify patterns?

• A. Self-monitoring
• B. Stimulus control
• C. Cognitive restructuring
• D. Cognitive therapy

Answer: (A)

Self-monitoring is the practice of watching and recording your own behavior, along with the situations and thoughts that accompany it, so you can spot recurring patterns and triggers. By tracking when the behavior occurs, how often, where you are, who you’re with, and your internal state, you build a data-driven picture of habits. This direct focus on observing and measuring your own actions is what makes it the best fit for identifying patterns.

Stimulus control, on the other hand, is about changing the environment to reduce cues that prompt the behavior, rather than tracking the behavior itself. Cognitive restructuring targets changing unhelpful thoughts that influence behavior, rather than monitoring behavior. Cognitive therapy is a broader approach that uses a mix of techniques, including cognitive restructuring, rather than focusing solely on self-monitoring.

In practice, you’d keep a simple log of each instance of the behavior with context, mood, and triggers, then review the data to see consistent patterns and target specific changes.