Principles of Behavior Modification (PSY333) Gary L. Cates, Ph.D., N.C.S.P

Clinical Behavior Therapy

Cognitive Behavior Modification Cognition: belief, thought, expectancy, attitude, or perception Assumption 1: People respond to events in terms of their perceived significance. Assumption 2: Cognitive deficiencies cause emotional disorders. √ Goal: Change cognition to make better adjusted person

Method 1: Cognitive Restructuring Substituting rational thoughts and appraisal of information for irrational or dysfunctional thinking. Ellis: Rational Emotive Therapy (Later REBT) Beck: Cognitive Therapy –Dichotomous Thinking: Absolute terms –Arbitrary Inference: Faulty conclusions –Overgeneralization: One failure means failure in general –Magnification: Exaggeration

Method 2: Self-instructional Coping methods Identify internal stimuli that are stress related Use them as SD’s to engage in appropriate self talk Appropriate self talk through a set of things to do to relax Positive self reinforcing statements after positive self talk

Method 3: Problem-Solving Methods General orientation: Be systematic not impulsive Problem Definition: Be specific Generation of alternatives: Brainstorm solutions Decision making: Evaluate the pros and cons to each alternative and pick the best one. Verification: Keep track of progress (data)

Empirical Evaluation of Ellis Reducing self talk: 46% Reducing emotional distress: 27% Gossette and O’Brien (1992) √ Effects probably due to homework assignments, not the challenge of cognition.

Let’s Add Cognitive Restructuring! Let’s not! –83% of research suggests it adds nothing! –Helpful for social anxiety only

Empirical Evaluation of Beck No better than a placebo (placebo may be effective!) [NIMH, 1989] - 55% BT, 52% IPT, 46% CT, 34% BDPT (Agency for health care policy and research, 1994)

Behavioral vs. Cognitive 83% of pure cognitive had no added benefit. √ Cognitive good for social-anxiety and phobia

Two Points Cognitive techniques rely on rule- governed behavior Rules control behavior only when linked to environmental contingencies

Areas of Clinical Behavior Therapy Agoraphobia: In vivo exposure (group or individual) –Cognitive restructuring does not add anything OCD: In vivo exposure (65-75%) –Cognitive (imagining) led by therapist adds to effectiveness. Stress: Relaxation techniques and exercise Depression: Exercise is gaining a lot of momentum placebo > no Tx and = to cognitive therapy minutes 3 times per week

Areas of Clinical Behavior Therapy Alcohol Problems: –Most successful programs use behavioral components such as: –Decreasing reinforcing properties of alcohol –Teaching new skills –Strategies to prevent relapse –Contingency management –SOCIAL SUPPORT IMPORTANT! DRA? √ Tx good for problem drinkers not as effective for alcoholics Obesity –Self-monitoring, stimulus control, changing eating behavior, behavioral contracts

Areas of Clinical Behavior Therapy Marital Distress –Instigation of positive exchanges –Communication Training –Problem Solving Training Habit Disorders –Habit reversal (Azrin & Nunn, 1973)

History

Respondent Conditioning 1904 Pavlov wins Noble Prize in Medicine 1913 J.B. Watson writes Behaviorists Manifesto 1916 Little Albert Clark Hull: Operant & Respondent 1958 Wolpe: reciprocal inhibition

Operant Conditioning 1938 Behavior of Organisms 1950 Keller & Schoenfield: Principles of Psychology 1953 Science of Human Behavior –Testing out: Sugar-milk, mmm-hmmm, Jellybeans – Allyn & Michael (1959) Ullmann & Krasner: 1 st bmod book 1982 Iwata (Functional Analysis)

Terms Behavior Modification: The large over arching term to describe behavior principles being used to modify behavior Behavior Therapy: Pavlov-wople orientation with cognitive focus Behavior analysis: Operant orientation (Function)

Ethics in Behavior Modification

Ethical Issues for Human Services Have goals of treatment been adequately considered? Has choice of treatment methods been adequately considered? Clients participation voluntary? Subordinate client interests considered? Adequacy of treatment been evaluated? Confidentiality protected? Referrals when necessary? Therapist Qualified?

Careers in Behavior Modification So you want to be a behavior modifier/analyst huh?

Schools in behavior analysis ed_behavior_analysis.htmlhttp://programs.gradschools.com/usa/appli ed_behavior_analysis.html orfield/education/accreditation/index.asphttp:// orfield/education/accreditation/index.asp Behavioral School Psychology –Syracuse, MSU, USM, UN-L, UO, ISU?

Interesting Jobs Most you need a masters degree –Certified as behavior analyst & Collect 3 rd party pay B.S. Marcus Institute, Kennedy Krieger, Ph.D. –Licensed Psychologist