Action Theories

Question 1

What are behavior concepts?

Answer 1

 Stimulus Control (classical conditioning)
 Reinforcement (Operant Conditioning)

Question 2

What does behavior therapy look at?

Answer 2

It looks at the impact of environmental events on behaviors and focuses on observable and measurable behavior

Question 3

What is neo behaviorism

Answer 3

 Drawing on Pavlov’s classical conditioning as well as stimulus-response theories, this focuses on observable measurable behavior

Question 4

What is the social learning theory?

Answer 4

 Based on the research of Albert Bandura, this approach seeks to understand the interaction of cognitive, behavioral, and environmental factors in shaping behavior
 Many strategies that clinicians use to enhance self-efficacy and reduce learned helpness reflect an understanding of social learning

Question 5

What is cognitive behavior theory?

Answer 5

 Reflected in the work of Meichenbaum, Ellis, and Beck, this approach looks at how cognitions shape behaviors and emotions.
 This treatment system makes use of both cognitive and behavioral strategies to effect change

Question 6

What is multimodal therapy?

Answer 6

 Multimodal therapy integrates strategies from a wide range of treatment methodologies into a holistic systematic approach to assessment and treatment planning

Question 7

What are the goals of behavior therapy?

Answer 7

 Behavior Therapy seeks to extinguish maladaptive behaviors and help people learn new adaptive ones.
 Reduction in use of drugs/alcohol
 Improvement in concentration and organization
 Reduction in undesirable behaviors in children such as tantrums, disobedience, acting out, aggressiveness, and difficulty going to bed

Question 8

What is classical conditioning?

Answer 8

It was identified by Ivan Pavlov and is Demonstrated by simultaneously presenting an unconditioned stimulus and a conditioned stimulus, researchers could elicit the dogs salivation using only the conditioned stimulus because the dogs learned to associate the sound with the meat

Question 9

What else did Ivan Pavlov study?

Answer 9

He studied the process of extinction which is in reference to his observation that the conditioned response to a cue that predicted food delivery decreased and eventually disappeared when food no longer followed the cue

Question 10

What is operant conditioning?

Answer 10

REINFORCEMENT/OPERANT CONDITIONING (SKINNER): it uses rewards and punishments to strengthen behavior.
STRENGTHENS BEHAVIOR IN THE SENSE OF INCREASING THE FREQUENCY OF ITS OCCURRENCE. IT WORKS WHEN THE CONSEQUENCES OF A BEHAVIOR INCREASE THE LIKELIHOOD OF IT BEING REPEATED

Question 11

what is positive reinforcement?

Answer 11

BEHAVIOR INCREASES WHEN A REINFORCER FOLLOWS IT. Positive reinforcement refers to the introduction of a desirable or pleasant stimulus after a behavior. The desirable stimulus reinforces the behavior, making it more likely that the behavior will reoccur.

Question 12

what is negative reinforcement?

Answer 12

BEHAVIOR INCREASES WHEN A REINFORCER IS TAKEN AWAY. ( I.E., A NEGATIVE CONDITION IS STOPPED OR AVOIDED AS A CONSEQUENCE OF THE BEHAVIOR THEREFORE, THE BEHAVIOR STRENGTHENS). Negative reinforcement is the encouragement of certain behaviors by removing or avoiding a negative outcome or stimuli. People typically use this technique to help children learn good patterns of behavior, but it can also play a role in training animals and pets.

Question 13

Who was JB Watson?

Answer 13

John W Watson
 Used Pavlov’s principles of classical conditioning and stimulus generalized, along with concepts of learning theory, to change human behavior
 Rejecting psychoanalysis, then the prevailing treatment approach, Watson proposed what he called behaviorism
* Demonstrated that an unconditioned stimulus paired with a conditioned stimulus could lead a child to emit a conditioned response in reaction not only to a white rat but also to white cotton and Watson’s white hair

Question 14

Who was BF SKinner?

Answer 14

 Drawing on the principles of operant conditioning, Skinner used reward to gradually shape the behavior of pigeons until they learned to peck at a red disk. Skinner called this Operant behavior because the behavior “operated” on the environment and was controlled by its effects

Question 15

What is operant conditioning?

Answer 15

 Operant conditioning refers to the schedules of reinforcement responsible for producing the new behavior

Question 16

What is positive reinforcement?

Answer 16

Positive reinforcement refers to the introduction of a desirable or pleasant stimulus after a behavior. The desirable stimulus reinforces the behavior, making it more likely that the behavior will reoccur. A behavior followed by positive reinforcement has an increased probability of being repeated. Involves a reward to a client upon completion of a desired behavior.

Question 17

What is aversive stimulus?

Answer 17

aversive are unpleasant stimuli that induce changes in behavior via negative reinforcement or positive punishment. By applying an aversive immediately before or after a behavior the likelihood of the target behavior occurring in the future is reduced. The opposite of positive reinforcement, an aversive stimulus is something that might be found to be unpleasant. A behavior followed by an aversive stimulus results in a decreased probability of the behavior occurring in the future

Question 18

What is negative reinforcement?

Answer 18

Involves the removal of an already active aversive stimulus. Therefore, behavior followed by the removal of an aversive stimulus results in an increased probability of that behavior occurring in the future
* Often mistaken for punishment, when in fact the two are separate, and important, concepts in behavioral therapy

Question 19

What is Bandura’s social learning theory?

Answer 19

Behavior change can occur vicariously through observation of other people’s behavior” i.e. Modeling

Question 20

What are the behavioral interventions based on social learning theory?

Answer 20

• Exposure
   The therapist works with the client to develop a hierarchy of learned stimuli to assist the client in becoming unafraid of relatively minor fears, gradually progressing through increasingly fearful stimuli. Client should have control of the intensity, duration, frequency, and circumstances under which the fear responses occur.
• Relaxation techniques
   Used in conjunction with exposure based techniques
• IMAGINAL
   THE INDIVIDUAL IMAGINES THE FEARED STIMULUS.
• IN VIVO (I.E. IN LIFE) IS PREFERRED.
   A SHY PERSON IS GRADUALLY EXPOSED TO SOCIAL SITUATIONS.
• FLOODING
• SHAPING
   REINFORCING BEHAVIORS THAT ARE MORE LIKE THE DESIRED BEHAVIORS THAN THE UNDESIRED ONES ALONG A CONTINUUM OF SMALL STEPS.
• TOKEN ECONOMIES AND TIME-OUTS.
• STICKER CHARTS, POTTY GIFTS, GRADES WITH MONEY.
• MODELING
   FIVE TYPES OF MODELING –CLINICIAN, OBSERVING OTHERS, IMAGINAL, SYMBOLIC, SELF MODELING

Question 21

What is mindfulness based cognitive therapy?

Answer 21

Mindfulness-based Cognitive therapy–is an experiential cognitive therapy treatment approach that was originally created as a relapse prevention treatment for depression based on Jon Kabat-Zinn’a mindfulness based stress reduction.
it focuses on cognitive change while it incorporates mindfulness meditation practice

Question 22

What are MCBT theories and strategies?

Answer 22

An understanding of the mechanism by which depression is reactivated is one of the beneficial side effects of the development of MBCT. Human brains are hard-wired to react to threats and once those neural pathways have been developed, they are more likely to be activated by another event that the brain perceives as threatening
Through mindfulness meditation and the practice of acceptance, the aversive or avoidant feelings that keep the negative thoughts in the mind are eliminated

Question 23

What is MBCT treatment?

Answer 23

 Treatment Protocol
* Weeks 1-4 Developing skills, mindfulness, meditation training, present-moment awareness, recognition of thoughts, emotions, bodily sensations, and behaviors
* Weeks 5-8 Shift toward recognition of more challenging thoughts and feelings, working on acceptance
 People who practice mindfulness meditation are expected to set aside a certain amount of time daily for practice. They learn to conduct a body scan, to pay attention to their breathing, how to meditate, and how to bring their mind back to the present moment when it wanders.

Question 24

What are reality therapist goals and concepts?

Answer 24

• Reality therapists pay little attention to the past. Instead they believe that past issues are expressed in present satisfying relationships and behaviors.
• Glasser does not ascribe to the disease model of mental illness. He accepts that people have symptoms, but does not believe there is anything wrong with their brains that cannot be changed through the synergistic effects of supportive relationships and changed actions
• Focus is on unsatisfying relationships
• Does not focus on finding fault.
   what the client can control vs. talking about what the client cannot control.
• THE ONLY PERSON YOU CAN CONTROL IS YOURSELF!
• Emphasis on responsibility
   If we choose all we do, then we must be responsible for what we choose.
   Focusing on what clients can choose allows clients to get closer to the people they need.
   Clients may reject their responsibility “choosing to be sick or behaving in crazy ways”.

Question 25

What is here and now in reality therapy?

Answer 25

 Keeping the therapy in the present
* We are products of our past, but we are not able to change our past
* Dwelling on the past is attractive because it prevents clients from dealing with real problems in present relationships
* We are not victims of the past unless we presently choose to be

Question 26

What are the five basic needs according to reality therapy?

Answer 26

 Reality therapy holds that all people are born with the following five basic needs that are fixed at birth. The relative strengths of these five needs give people their different personalities.
 5 Basic Needs
* Belonging
* Loving and being loved; having contact, connections, interactions, and relationships with people
* Power/Achievement
* Feelings of accomplishment and competence, self-esteem, success, and control over one’s own life
* Fun/Enjoyment
* Pleasure the ability to laugh, play, and appreciate being human
* Freedom/Independence
* The ability to make choices; to live without excessive and unnecessary limits or constraints
* Survival
* The essentials of life,, including good health, food, air, shelter, safety, security, and physical comfort
 Reality therapy takes on the position that all human behavior is purposeful and directed at meeting one or more of the fundamental needs.

Question 27

What are the concepts of choice theory

Answer 27

Mental Illness, Basic Needs, Quality World, Total Behavior and Goals

Question 28

What is CT view of mental health?

Answer 28

 Mental illness allows us to avoid doing what we are afraid to do.
 Saying “I am depressed”, “I am angry”, “I am anxious”
* implies passivity and lack of personal responsibility, and it is inaccurate.
* Verb forms depressing, headaching, angering, and anxietying are used to describe them.
* When people choose “paining” behaviors, it is because
 these are the best behaviors they are able to devise at the time,
 these behaviors often get them what they want.

Question 29

What is quality world?

Answer 29

 GLASSER DESCRIBES THE QUALITY WORLD AS A “PERSONAL PICTURE ALBUM” OF ALL THE PEOPLE, THINGS, IDEAS, AND IDEALS THAT WE HAVE DISCOVERED INCREASE THE QUALITY OF OUR LIVES. WHILE THE BASIC HUMAN NEEDS ARE THE GENERAL MOTIVATION FOR ALL HUMAN BEHAVIOR, THE QUALITY WORLD REFERS TO SPECIFIC MOTIVATIONS – THE MOTIVATIONS ARE THE ENGINE THAT DRIVE TOTAL BEHAVIOR.

Question 30

What is WDEP?

Answer 30

• WDEP is an acronym used to describe key procedures that can be used in the practice of reality therapy.
• “W” what do you want?
   W= Wants and hopes
• Discussing wants, needs and perceptions
   “What do you want?”
   “If you were the person that you wish you were, what kind of person would you be?”
   “What is it that you want that you don’t seem to be getting?”
• “D” what are you doing?
   D=Direction and Doing
• d= discussing behavioral direction and doing (total behavior)
   What are you doing now
   Behaviors or strategies tried to achieve goals
• “E” evaluation
   E= Evaluation
• Does your present behavior have a reasonable change in getting you what you want and taking you in the direction you want to go
   “Is what you are doing helping or hurting?”
   “Is your behavior working for you?”
   “Is what you believe and what you do congruent?”
   “Are your behaviors getting you what you need?”
• “P” planning and commitment
   P=PLANNING, DEVELOPING SPECIFIC BEHAVIORS THAT WILL ATTAIN CLIENT’S WANTS AND NEEDS.
• EXAMPLE: GO TO YOUR FRIEND AND SAY I NEED YOUR HELP, WILL YOU HELP ME? RATHER THEN DEPRESSING.
   OFTEN TIMES THE MOST SIGNIFICANT AND TIME CONSUMING PART.
   GIVES THE CLIENT A STARTING POINT AND DIRECTION

Question 31

What is SAMIC?

Answer 31

• Maximizing the Success Plan
   Simple
   Attainable
   Measurable
   Immediate, Involving
   Controlled, Consistent, Committed

Question 32

What are solution focused concepts and assumptions?

Answer 32

• Solution Focused Concepts and Assumptions
• Solution Focused is built out of social constructivism
• Social-individuals are understood within their social context
• Constructivism-personal reality is not an objective entity, it is co- created between people through language.
• The focus is on the solution vs the problem
   Problem Focused
• The solution is in fixing the problem
• Identify problems and look at scripts that support the problems
• Counselor is expert
• Notice client barriers
   Solution Focused
• The solution is in the exception
• Identify what is not a problem and build off of solutions
• Client is expert
• Notice client strengths

Question 33

What are the basic assumptions of solution focused therapy?

Answer 33

 Clients have the internal resources to solve their own problems
 Clients are the experts of their lives
 It is not necessary to know the cause of a problem to find the solution
 People are accountable for their actions
 Small change leads to bigger change
 Change is constant and inevitable
 There are many ways to look at a situation.
 The counseling relationship is paramount.
 Empower client to not continue to need you.

Question 34

What are the 3 kinds/types of client therapist relationships?

Answer 34

• Visitor/Host Relationship (20%)
   Client-does not think he/she has a problem; may be involuntary; or may have little hope or expectation that anything will change.
   Counselor-sympathize with client’s plight; compliment where possible; hosting activities (general conversation about client’s interest, making client comfortable); Look for any complaints. Focus on Relationship
• COMPLAINANT/LISTENER(66)
   Client-can describe a problem or goal; sees the solution as external to their control; can overwhelm the therapist with information.
   Counselor- listens; is passive and reflective; accepts the clients world view or frame of reference; gives a noticing, thinking or observing tasks at end of session
• CUSTOMER/SELLER RELATIONSHIP(15%)
   CLIENT-BELIEVES THERE IS A PROBLEM; THE CLIENT STATES OR UNDERSTANDS THAT HE/SHE IS THE ONE WHO HAS TO DO THE WORK AND IS WILLING TO WORK..
   COUNSELOR-AGREES TO WORK ON CLIENT’S GOAL OR PROBLEM; IS ACTIVE AND MORE DIRECTIVE; MAY GIVE A BEHAVIORAL TASK THAT REQUIRES THE CLIENT TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT.
• The Questions

Question 35

What are the 5 types of therapeutic questions?

Answer 35

 Pre-session Change Questions
*
 Miracle Question
* a goal setting question that is useful when a client simply does not know what a preferred future would look like. It can be used with individuals to set the course for therapy, with couples, to clarify what each person needs from each other and with families, who too often see one person as the culprit.
 Exception Question
* provide clients with the opportunity to identify times when things have been different for them.
* Examples of exception questions include:
* Tell me about times when you don’t get angry.
* Tell me about times you felt the happiest.
 Coping Question
* attempt to help the client shift his/her focus away from the problem elements and toward what the client is doing to survive the painful or stressful circumstances.
* They are related in a way to exploring for exceptions.
* What have you found that is helpful in managing this situation?
* Considering how depressed and overwhelmed you feel, how is it that you were able to get out of bed this morning and make it to our appointment (or make it to work)?
 Scaling Question
* invite the clients to put their observations, impressions, and predictions on a scale from 0 to 10, with 0 being no chance, and 10 being every chance.
* Questions need to be specific, citing specific times and circumstances