Behavioral Therapies AP PSYCH CH 13
Behavioral Therapies A.k.a. behavior modification 2 nd main branch of psychotherapies Is based on the principles of behavioral learning Classical conditioning Operant conditioning Behaviors are LEARNED so they can be UNLEARNED Focus on changing patient’s RESPONSE Effective for treatment of bad habits, fears, addictions, aggression, compulsions, depression, delinquent behaviors
C.C. Therapies a history Mary Corver Jones – 1 st person to implement behavioral therapy Peter feared rabbits. Brought it closer and closer to him while he was eating. Bed wetting – fluid-sensitive pad placed under patient. Moisture sets off alarm, patient wakes up. Effective in 75% of cases.
C.C. Review UCS Naturally elicits the UCR NS Is paired with the UCS, becomes the CS Which elicits the CR Which is usually the same as the UCR
C.C. Therapies Systematic Desensitization Anxiety disorders Anxiety is extinguished by exposing the patient to an anxiety- provoking stimulus First used by Joseph Wolpe Process: Training program that teaches relaxation techniques While they are relaxed, introduce thoughts about anxiety provoking situation Work through a hierarchy, until exposed to that fear GOAL: Learn to form a new association. Replace anxiety with relaxation.
Sample Anxiety Hierarchy For fear of public speaking 1. Seeing a picture of another person giving a speech 2. Watch another person give a speech 3. Prepare a speech that I will give 4. Having to introduce myself to a large group 5. Waiting to be called upon to speak in a meeting 6. Begin introduced as a speaking to a group 7. Walking to the podium to make a speech 8. Making a speech to a large group
Another form of systematic desensitization Exposure therapy – patient directly confronts the anxiety-provoking stimulus
C.C. Therapies Aversion Therapy Pair stimulus (behavior) that patient wants to stop with an unpleasant (aversive) stimuli Used to treat smoking, drug use, alcoholism, violent aggressions, sexual behaviors (pedophilia), overeating Unpleasant stimulus could be a foul odor, nausea inducing pill, shock UCS (foul odor) CS (cigarette smoking) UCR (nausea) CR causes paired with
Operant Conditioning Therapies Contingency Management REVIEW: Based on rewards and punishments Rewards increase chance behavior will occur Punishments decrease chance behavior will occur Positive – adding something Negative – taking something away Contingency Management – changing behavior by altering the consequences of behavior Managing behavior problems; can be used effectively for children with A.S.D.
O.C. Therapies Token Economies REVIEW Applied to groups Involves distribution of “tokens” for desired behaviors Redeem tokens for items or privileges Works well for mental patients and prisoners PROBLEM: Once reward ends, behavior often also ends
Observational Learning Therapy Participant Modeling Fears and anxieties can be LEARNED by OBSERVING others Parents unknowingly teach their children many fears So, fears can also be unlearned by observation PARTICIPANT MODELING: Therapist demonstrates a desired behavior and encourages client to imitate
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
CBT Combines emphasis on thoughts with behavioral strategies Changes the way people approach problems and develop new skills and self-efficacy 1. Modify irrational thoughts and replace with constructive coping statements 2. Set attainable behavioral goals 3. Develop strategies for attaining goals 4. Evaluate results
Form of CBT: Rational-Emotive Behavioral Therapy Developed by Albert Ellis Goal: to help people eliminate self-defeating thought patterns Based on the idea that irrational thoughts and behaviors cause mental disorders Ellis believed that many people hold unrealistic values and goals Neurotic goals lead to unrealistic expectations Ex: we cannot ALWAYS succeed Being unable to meet goals can control our actions, stall us from leading best life Treatment: includes changing irrational thoughts to rational ones x-4FZikOvYe2aerIhRnqsEN5P1x4M