Behavioural experiments Flashcards
What are behavioural experiments (BEs) in CBT?
Structured activities designed to test the validity of a client’s beliefs, gather evidence, and develop new perspectives
BEs help clients explore the relationship between thoughts, emotions, and behaviours through real-life experiences.
What is the purpose of a behavioural experiment?
To challenge negative automatic thoughts and core beliefs
BEs provide experiential learning.
How does the cognitive model relate to BEs?
It emphasizes that distorted thinking affects emotions and behaviours, targeting these distortions by testing maladaptive beliefs in real-world situations
(Beck, 2011)
What is Kolb’s Experiential Learning Cycle?
A theory stating that learning is most effective when people reflect on experiences
(Kolb, 1984)
Plan the experiment ,Carry out the experiment , observed what happened, reflect on the cognition that was tested
What are the types of behavioural experiments? Explain them.
- Hypothesis testing experiments.
Test specific beliefs and compare outcomes to expectations
Example: Riding an elevator to compare predicted distress with actual distress.
- Discovery experiments.
Less structured and involve exploring new situations to discover information that challenges thinking
For example, a client who assumes that strangers are unfriendly my experiment by smiling at strangers to gauge their reactions and discovered that most people respond positively
What are discovery experiments?
Less structured experiments involving exploring new situations to challenge rigid thinking
Example: Smiling at strangers to gauge reactions.
What is the role of the therapist in behavioural experiments?
Encouragement, coaching, and prodding clients to navigate fears while maintaining professional boundaries
A supportive therapist helps clients feel safe.
What qualities must a client demonstrate in BEs?
Courage and persistence
Clients face fears and may need to repeat experiments to gather enough evidence.
Fill in the blank: The first step in conducting a behavioural experiment is to _______.
Identify the belief.
What distinguishes behavioural experiments from exposure therapy?
BEs focus on testing and modifying beliefs, while exposure therapy aims to reduce fear through repeated exposure
Example: Exposure therapy reduces anxiety by facing phobias.
What are some challenges in implementing behavioural experiments?
Rigid beliefs, practical barriers, and therapist role flexibility
Some clients may resist change, requiring multiple approaches.
What ethical considerations must be taken into account for BEs?
Ensuring client safety and well-being, adhering to confidentiality and beneficence
Activities must serve the client’s best interest.
What does empirical evidence suggest about BEs?
They are effective for anxiety and panic disorders, producing significant improvements in cognitive flexibility
BEs combined with cognitive restructuring yield better results than exposure alone.
What are the theoretical underpinnings of behavioural experiments?
- cognitive model.
- Experimental learning theory. (Kole)
- Information processing ferry.
What are the four steps to conduct in behavioural experiments?
- Identify the belief and rate on a scale of 0 to 100%.
- Plan the experiment collaboratively.
- The experiment in a planned activity was monitoring force feelings and physical sensations.
- Reflects on the outcome by comparing it to the predicted outcome and reevaluate that scale of 0 to 100.
Describe Epstein cognitive model
There are two sides, the rational system and the experiential system
The rational system is analytical, logical and emotionless
The experiential system is intuitive emotional and hard to change
According to kolb 1984, what are the four steps to creating a behavioural experiment in experiential learning ferry?
- Plan the experiment.
- Carry out the experiment.
- Observe what happens.
- Reflect on what was tested.
What is information processing theory?
Experiential learning especially emotional learning is processed more deeply so by engaging both emotionally and physically in behaviour experiment clients process information more thoroughly more congruent
What are the two types of behavioural experiments?
Hypothesis testing test out a specific theory and discovery experiments where there is no fairy really and the person discovers for themselves what happens?
What is the key component to hypothesis testing in behavioural experiments and cognitive restructuring?
Giving over on how you feel before and after
What are the four ways behavioural experiments can be done?
Hypothesis testing with the client predicts what will happen to themselves or hypothesis testing where maybe a survey of what the client thinks others will do?
Observation with the client does something and sees what happens rather than predicting or observation where the client watches someone else do something and sees what happens without hypothesis testing
