Behavior Therapy Flashcards
What is the foundation for behavior therapy?
learning theory
Core characteristics of BT
- Most abnormal bx is acquired maintained according to the same principles of learning which govern normal bx.
- Tx is derived from theory and experimental findings of scientific psychology, specific and replicable, tailored to diff people and situations.
- focus of therapy is on changing bx.
- bxs are seen as functional.
- BT is active, time-limited and emphasizes variables that maintain bx.
methodological focus
techniques cannot be assumed to be valid
focus of BT on changing bx
Increasing frequency of adaptive bx, decreasing frequency of maladaptive bx, enhancing flexibility of bx repertoire
bx are seen as functional
Problem bxs are associated with some type of desired consequence, or are a result of learned association based upon experiences, modeling, or instruction
BT is active
involve having client perform some action, monitoring thoughts, engage in a new activity
BT emphasizes variables that maintain bx
Acknowledgement of past events in development of problem, but past hx is assumed to have a smaller role in maintenance over time
belief of BT
the symptom is the problem and is a target for therapy (rejects medical notion that trouble bx is a symptom for an underlying disorder)
3 major emphases in BT
approach based on classical conditioning, approach based on operant conditioning, approach based on use of cognitive explanations
classical conditioning approach
- Wolpe
- use as a model to explain anxiety-related bx problems
- techniques such as systematic desensitization and assertiveness training
- use the term behavior therapist
operant conditioning approach
- AKA behavior modification
- change the contingencies that control bx
- Skinner
- often called applied behavioral analysis
cognitive explanations approach
- techniques for producing bx change
- Beck and Ellis
- techniques include cognitive restructuring, downward arrow, daily thought record
- sometimes called cognitive therapy
counterconditioning
-classical conditioning approach
-Wolpe conditioned cats to fear a buzzer
attempt to identify bx that could be used to inhibit and counter condition anxiety
relaxation to inhibit anxiety became the basis of systematic desensitization, assertive responses to inhibit social anxiety became basis for assertiveness training, sexual arousal to inhibit anxiety became basis for sex therapy
theory of psychopathology
anxiety is an important factor in most bx do, a pattern of responses of the sympathetic nervous system when exposed to a threatening stimulus, can be learned (through conditioning), considered a primary problem in psychopathology, can impair other aspects of bx and lead to secondary sx if it becomes a habitual response, can produce avoidant responses
2 critical tasks in counterconditioning
- identify a response that is incompatible with anxiety and can be paired with stimuli that evoke anxiety.
- In treatment, begin with stimuli that are low on the anxiety hierarchy (stimuli that elicit a mild amount of anxiety) – “baby steps”.
systematic desensitization
- Use of deep muscle relaxation as an incompatible response with anxiety.
- Construction of an anxiety hierarchy
- Desensitization Session
deep muscle relaxation
- Wolpe – teaches clients to discriminate between tense and relaxed muscle
- Client contracts muscle group, focuses on sensation, then actively lets muscles relax
- Each muscle group is tensed and relaxed, usually beginning with the hands, arms, shoulders, face, neck, etc.
anxiety hierarchy
- Rank stimuli from most to least anxiety arousing
- Hierarchy often constructed around a time or space dimension
- Typical hierarchy will have 10-20 stimulus scenes
- Scenes are typically realistic, concrete situations related to the client’s problems
desensitization session
- Used relaxation exercises to become deeply relaxed
- Imagine first scene in hierarchy
- If anxiety is experienced, signal the therapist
- Instructed to stop imagining the scene and return to relaxing scene or previous scene
- May have to add new scenes to the hierarchy
- Once relaxed again, go back to stimulus scene again
- If anxiety not elicited, asked to imagine scene for 10 seconds.
- Repeat the scene before moving on to next scene in hierarchy.
- End session with a successful scene
- Can last about 15-30 minutes; most clients have trouble sustaining concentration for more than 30 minutes.
- When desensitization is completed, move to in vivo (real life) desensitization – approach feared stimuli in real life. Again, develop a hierarchy.
