Behavioral Therapy

Question 1

Roots

Answer 1

Behaviorism = primary learning comes from experience and our environment. Changes in experience will lead to new learning and behavior changes

Question 2

Goal is

Answer 2

to reinforce desirable behaviors and eliminate unwanted or maladaptive ones, to teach clients new behaviors to minimize or eliminate the issue.

Question 3

Theory of learning

Answer 3

If behavior is learnt, it can be unlearnt. All behaviors are acquired through conditioning, via interactions with environment. All behavior can be explained without the need to consider internal states, in an observable manner. Faulty learning is the cause of abnormal behavior . Therefore, the individual has to learn the correct or acceptable behavior. Use the same learning strategies that led to the formation of unwanted behaviors.

Question 4

2 types of conditioning

Answer 4

classical and operant

Question 5

Focus on…

Answer 5

current problems and behavior, and on attempts to remove the behavior that is troublesome; action-based & highly focused

Question 6

classical conditioning

Answer 6

forming associations between stimuli; previously neutral stimuli are paired with a stimulus that naturally and automatically evoke a response. After repeated pairings, an association is formed and the previously neutral stimulus will come to evoke the response on its own. Pavlov’s dog.

Question 7

operant conditioning

Answer 7

utilize reinforcement or punishment to either increase or decrease the frequency of a behavior. Behaviors followed by desirable consequences are more likely to occur again, while those followed by negative consequences become less likely to occur. Skinner

Question 8

Flooding

Answer 8

expose people to fear-inducing objects or stimulus intensely and rapidly, while being prevented from escaping or avoiding the situation. (as nothing bad happens while in the presence of the stimulus, the fear response fades) Used to treat phobias, anxiety and other stress-related disorders. (classical conditioning)

Question 9

Systematic desensitization

Answer 9

1. teach client relaxation techniques 2. client makes list of fears 3. starting with least fear-inducing item and working up to the most fear-inducing item, the client confronts the fears while maintaining a relaxed state. Old fear-inducing stimulus is paired with new relaxation behavior, so phobic response gets reduced or eliminated. (classical conditioning)

Question 10

Little Albert

Answer 10

experiment by John Watson - conditioned young child to fear a white rat. showed that fears are learned rather than resulting from unconscious process.

Question 11

Aversion therapy

Answer 11

pair an undesirable behavior with an aversive stimulus, in the hope that undesirable behavior will eventually be reduced. (classical conditioning)

Question 12

Token Economy

Answer 12

used to reinforce good behavior (parents/teachers). Earn tokens for preferred behaviors that can be exchanged for special privileges or desired items. (operant conditioning)

Question 13

Contingency managemnt

Answer 13

behavior contract - formal written contract that outlines behavior change goals, reinforcements and rewards that will be given, and penalties for failing to meet the demands of the agreement. (Operant conditioning)

Question 14

Modeling

Answer 14

learning through observation and copying the behavior of others. Learn new skills or acceptable behaviors by watching someone else perform those desirable skills (therapist might model, or peers). (social learning theory)

Question 15

Extinction

Answer 15

stop reinforcing behavior in order to eliminate the response. E.g. time - outs - taking away the attention/situation the child found rewarding, the unwanted behavior is eventually extinguished. (operant conditioning)

Question 16

Best used for

Answer 16

phobias, panic disorder, and obsessive compulsive disorder respond well to behavioral treatments. Specific behavioral issues.

Question 17

Techniques

Answer 17

homework, behavioral experiments, role-playing and modeling, assertiveness training, relaxation training, self-management training. client plays active role, therapy occurs in natural environment as much as possible.