THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ABNORMALITY: COGNITIVE-BEHAVIOURAL AND EXISTENTIAL-HUMANISTIC LECTURE OUTLINE Behavioural theories Cognitive theories Cognitive-behavioural theories Existential-humanistic theories

BEHAVIOURAL THEORIES Classical conditioning (Pavlov) US UR CS CR Operant conditioning (Skinner) S D behaviour Reinforcer

BEHAVIOURAL THEORIES Operant conditioning Reinforcement – leads to an increase in the behaviour preceding the reinforcer positive negative Punishment positive negative

BEHAVIOURAL THEORIES Classical conditioning – can play a role in a variety of anxiety disorders Operant conditioning – can play a role in numerous disorders Two-factor theory (Mowrer) – both classical and operant interact to maintain anxiety problems Modeling (Bandura) – can learn maladaptive or adaptive behaviours via observational learning

BEHAVIOURAL THEORIES Basic assumption of behavioural theories is that maladaptive behaviours are learned and can be unlearned, and that new, more adaptive behaviours can be learned Has been applied to a wide range of disorders and problems

BEHAVIOURAL THEORIES Treatments based on classical conditioning systematic desensitization - Wolpe aversive conditioning exposure, flooding

BEHAVIOURAL THEORIES Treatments based on operant conditioning behaviour shaping, coaching (teaching a new behaviour) token economy, contingency contracting, and other methods of positive reinforcement (used to strengthen adaptive behaviours) extinction and punishment (used to weaken maladaptive behaviours) stimulus control – used to cue adaptive behaviours

COGNITIVE THEORIES Basic assumption of cognitive theories is that maladaptive behaviour results from irrational or distorted ways of thinking – emphasis is on internal thought processes Like psychodynamic theories, cognitive theories have been employed mostly with people with anxiety and mood disorders Like behavioural theories, there is a strong research emphasis in cognitive theories

COGNITIVE THEORIES Albert Ellis – psychological problems stem from irrational and catastrophic thinking Examples of irrational beliefs I must be loved and approved of all the time Things must always go right I must be competent at everything Life should always treat me fairly Rational-Emotive Therapy (RET) – therapist challenges client’s irrational belief

COGNITIVE THEORIES Aaron Beck – psychological problems stem from distorted thinking based on underlying cognitive schemata Cognitive schemata – ways of viewing self, world, past, future Cognitive therapy - therapist challenges client’s distorted thinking through a process of checking beliefs against reality – evidence-gathering approach

COGNITIVE-BEHAVIOURAL THEORIES Over the past 20 years, the cognitive and behavioural theories have become more inter- connected, emphasizing both behaviour and thinking Bandura – social learning theory self-control self-efficacy Cognitive-behavioural therapy is becoming the dominant paradigm in clinical psychology

AND COGNITIVE- BEHAVIOURAL TREATMENTS Problem-solving training – D’Zurilla & Goldfried Self-instructional training - Meichenbaum Cognitive-behavioural therapy is becoming the dominant paradigm in clinical psychology

SUMMARY OF BEHAVIOURAL AND COGNITIVE THEORIES AND TREATMENTS emphasis on behaviour and cognitive processes more active, directive therapeutic approach than most psychodynamic approaches more research-oriented and results-oriented approach than most psychodynamic approaches

EXISTENTIAL-HUMANISTIC THEORIES Roots – German and French phenomenology, focus on experiencing and emotion Third force – as an alternative to psychodynamic and behavioural theories With the exception of Rogers, not as rooted in research as behavioural and cognitive theories

EXISTENTIAL-HUMANISTIC THEORIES Core concepts Freedom Phenomenology Self-actualization Being and authenticity Holism Willing and wishing – Rollo May

EXISTENTIAL-HUMANISTIC THEORIES Carl Rogers’ Theory of Psychopathology Lack of unconditional positive regard Lack of unconditional positive self-regard (low self-esteem) Incongruence between self and experience Anxiety, defensiveness, distortion

EXISTENTIAL-HUMANISTIC THEORIES Carl Rogers’ Theory of Client-centered Therapy Therapist provides unconditional positive regard Unconditional positive self-regard (self- acceptance or high self-esteem) Congruence between self and experience Authenticity, openness, psychological health

EXISTENTIAL-HUMANISTIC THEORIES Core qualities of therapist for client- centered therapy Empathy Warmth (unconditional positive regard) Genuineness - authenticity

EXISTENTIAL-HUMANISTIC THEORIES Core qualities of therapist for client- centered therapy quite a bit of research attesting to the importance of these therapist variables widespread application of these skills in psychology and counseling training programs – active listening skills some would argue that these skills are important for all types of therapy (compare with psychodynamic notion of working alliance)

EXISTENTIAL-HUMANISTIC THEORIES Other important existential-humanistic theorists and therapists Maslow – self-actualization and need hierarchy Jourard – importance of self-disclosure for psychological health and for therapy existential – Rollo May, Viktor Frankl – logotherapy Fritz Perls – Gestalt therapy – emphasis on experience/emotion, empty chair technique

SUMMARY OF EXISTENTIAL-HUMANISTIC THEORIES AND TREATMENTS emphasis on experience and emotion emphasis on non-directive approaches to therapy less research-oriented than behavioural and cognitive approaches