Behavior Therapy Foundations and Application

Historical background Emerged in 1950s Stemmed from scientific empiricism Pavlov (classical conditioning) Skinner (operant conditioning) Bandura (Social Learning Theory) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Focuses on observable behavior, effect of environment on behavior, learning experiences, and assessment Emerged in 1950s Stemmed from scientific empiricism Pavlov (classical conditioning) Skinner (operant conditioning) Bandura (Social Learning Theory) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Focuses on observable behavior, effect of environment on behavior, learning experiences, and assessment

Classical conditioning (Pavlov) Pavlov’s theories were based on his work with salivating dogs. For more info: ames/medicine/pavlov/readmore.ht ml ames/medicine/pavlov/readmore.ht ml John Watson & “Little Albert” Ethical????? Please check out this video: fnXACsOI fnXACsOI Mowrer and Mowrer (1938): Bedwetting

Operant Conditioning (also known as “instrumental conditioning”) Whereas Classical Conditioning focuses on the antecedents of behavior, Operant Conditioning focuses on antecedents AND consequences of behavior. B.F. Skinner is the “ guru ” of this theory: Early work by Thorndike bridged the gap between CC and OC Whereas Classical Conditioning focuses on the antecedents of behavior, Operant Conditioning focuses on antecedents AND consequences of behavior. B.F. Skinner is the “ guru ” of this theory: Early work by Thorndike bridged the gap between CC and OC

Social Learning Theory (Albert Bandura, et. al) Social learning theories focus on the study of covert behaviors such as physiological responses, thinking, and feeling. Cognitive-behavioral theories began to consider both covert and overt behaviors The story of “ Peter ” Social learning theories focus on the study of covert behaviors such as physiological responses, thinking, and feeling. Cognitive-behavioral theories began to consider both covert and overt behaviors The story of “ Peter ”

Bandura (1960’s) proposed and emphasized: the role of thoughts and images in social and psychological functioning a triadic, reciprocal relationship between environment, personal factors, and behavioral actions. the role of thoughts and images in social and psychological functioning a triadic, reciprocal relationship between environment, personal factors, and behavioral actions. Key to learning is observation The self-system (triad) regulates behavior Concept of self- efficacy, accomplishing tasks, belief that one can succeed

Current Status of Behavior Therapy Has been applied to a great number of areas (business, hospital, athletic performance, education, etc.) Association for Advancement of Behavior Therapy (4000+ members) Has been applied to a great number of areas (business, hospital, athletic performance, education, etc.) Association for Advancement of Behavior Therapy (4000+ members)

Behavior Therapy: Basic Characteristics Based on principles of the scientific method (systematic, specific) Deals with the client ’ s current problems (not past) Clients must engage in specific actions to change behavior. Goal-setting & modeling are key tasks Based on principles of the scientific method (systematic, specific) Deals with the client ’ s current problems (not past) Clients must engage in specific actions to change behavior. Goal-setting & modeling are key tasks Counseling is largely educational and occurs in client’s environment. Procedures are tailored to client’s needs (personal) Collaborative partnership between client & therapist

Behavior Therapy: Major Concepts Positive Reinforcement (widely used) Extinction (also punishment) Generalization - when behavior is reinforced, it may generalize to other behavior Discrimination - The ability to react differently, depending upon the stimulus condition that is presented (e.g., traffic lights) Positive Reinforcement (widely used) Extinction (also punishment) Generalization - when behavior is reinforced, it may generalize to other behavior Discrimination - The ability to react differently, depending upon the stimulus condition that is presented (e.g., traffic lights)

View of human nature Internal locus of control Product of environment Therapy looks to increase freedom to improve life situations Internal locus of control Product of environment Therapy looks to increase freedom to improve life situations

Basic assumptions Scientific method Focus on present problems Client is active Self management Assessing problems and change Self-management Practical interventions Scientific method Focus on present problems Client is active Self management Assessing problems and change Self-management Practical interventions

Goals Client defines goals Determine behavioral changes Therapist constantly monitors Therapist is active, directive, and problem solver Relationship important primarily to influence compliance with tasks Client defines goals Determine behavioral changes Therapist constantly monitors Therapist is active, directive, and problem solver Relationship important primarily to influence compliance with tasks

Techniques and interventions Positive reinforcement Negative reinforcement Extinction Punishment Generalization Scaling Relaxation training Modeling Positive reinforcement Negative reinforcement Extinction Punishment Generalization Scaling Relaxation training Modeling

Behavioral Techniques: Modeling Five functions of basic modeling: teaching, prompting, motivating, reducing anxiety, and discouraging. Live modeling Symbolic modeling (e.g., videos, films, photos, etc.) Five functions of basic modeling: teaching, prompting, motivating, reducing anxiety, and discouraging. Live modeling Symbolic modeling (e.g., videos, films, photos, etc.) Role playing Participant modeling: therapist models, then has patient follow Covert modeling: using imagination to visualize a behavior Often used to rehearse “assertiveness” skills

Techniques, continued… Systematic desensitization In vivo Flooding EMDR Assertion training Self-management (self reward, self monitoring, self control, setting goals) Systematic desensitization In vivo Flooding EMDR Assertion training Self-management (self reward, self monitoring, self control, setting goals)

Behavioral Techniques: Systematic Desensitization 1. Teach client relaxation responses 2. Events that make the client anxious are assessed and arranged by degree of anxiety (SUDs) 3. Have client imagine anxiety-evoking situations while being relaxed. 1. Teach client relaxation responses 2. Events that make the client anxious are assessed and arranged by degree of anxiety (SUDs) 3. Have client imagine anxiety-evoking situations while being relaxed. 4. Repeat in a gradual manner so that relaxation is paired with anxiety- provoking event. Client is “systematically” desensitized to situations that created anxiety.

Behavioral Techniques: In Vivo Therapies Occurs in client ’ s actual environment May be gradual (SD) or direct (flooding) Anytime client becomes tense, relaxation procedures are performed. Advance from one step to the other occurs when client is comfortable. Client will progress to performing behavior on his/her own Occurs in client ’ s actual environment May be gradual (SD) or direct (flooding) Anytime client becomes tense, relaxation procedures are performed. Advance from one step to the other occurs when client is comfortable. Client will progress to performing behavior on his/her own

Self-Management & Self-Directed Behavior Select a goal Translate goal into target behavior Self-monitor (e.g. behavior diary) Work out a plan for change Self-reinforce Self-contract Evaluate the plan Select a goal Translate goal into target behavior Self-monitor (e.g. behavior diary) Work out a plan for change Self-reinforce Self-contract Evaluate the plan

Multimodal therapy (Lazarus) Technical eclecticism BASIC ID Breadth more important than depth (Corey, 2005) Teaches skills, coping, and flexibility Technical eclecticism BASIC ID Breadth more important than depth (Corey, 2005) Teaches skills, coping, and flexibility

BT & Multicultural Issues As an action approach, is consistent with meeting needs of culturally diverse populations Cross-cultural knowledge is helpful in understanding behavior. As an action approach, is consistent with meeting needs of culturally diverse populations Cross-cultural knowledge is helpful in understanding behavior. Suggestions: 1. Counselor should be aware of culture-specific ideas of what constitutes deviant behavior 2. Knowledge of cultural roles is useful; consider what is culturally appropriate to reinforce

Positives Concrete and structured Focused on change Emphasizes research based approaches Many techniques Suited to short term Effective with anxiety disorders Concrete and structured Focused on change Emphasizes research based approaches Many techniques Suited to short term Effective with anxiety disorders

Critiques Limited focus on feelings Relational factors No insight Only treats symptoms Issues of power and control Limited focus on feelings Relational factors No insight Only treats symptoms Issues of power and control