BEHAVIOR THERAPIES

BEHAVIOR THERAPIES

Behavior therapy, or behavior modification, is based on the assumption that undesirable behaviors have been learned, and therefore, can be unlearned.

Behavior therapist focus on the problem behaviors rather than inner thoughts, motives or emotions. Their goal is to determine how these behaviors were learned and see if they can eliminate them.

COUNTERCONDITIONING

• Classical conditioning techniques• Operant conditioning techniques

CLASSICAL COUNTERCONDITIONING

SYSTEMATIC DESENSITIZATION

One behavioral technique to extinguish anxiety is systematic desensitization. In this, a patient is exposed to an anxiety producing stimulus gradually. Over time, the anxiety will become extinguished.

• AKA “In vivo desensitization”Confronting actual fear (not just imagining it)Flooding: experiencing one’s peak fear Idea is to realize irrationality of fear (huge anxiety

factor)

STEPS OF SYSTEMATIC DESENSITIZATION

For a fear of public speaking:

1. Seeing a picture of a person giving a speech

2. Watching another person give a speech

3. Preparing a speech to give

4. Having to introduce oneself to a large group

5. Waiting to be called upon to speak at a meeting.

6. Being introduced as a speaker to a group

7. Walking to the podium to make a speech

8. Making a speech to a large group

AVERSION THERAPY

Aversion therapy takes on the psychological problems with a conditioning procedure designed to make tempting stimulus less provocative by pairing them with an unpleasant (aversive) stimuli.

In time, the negative reaction (UCR) associated with the averse stimuli come to be associated with the conditioned stimuli.

This is usually a last resort type of therapy, though it has been shown to be successful.

Aversion Therapy

Aversion Therapy

Aversion Therapy

OPERANT COUNTERCONDITIONING

OPERANT CONDITIONING THERAPIES

These therapies rely on the tools of operant conditioning: reward and punishment.

Contingency Management: An approach to changing behavior by changing the consequences associated with a behavior.

Token Economy: A technique involving the distribution of “tokens” or indicators of reinforcement contingent on desired behaviors

SUMMARY: BEHAVIORAL THERAPY

• Pavlov, Watson, Skinner

• Classical / Operant

• “All behavior is learned”

• Behavioral Modification, (or changing maladaptive actions)

EXAMPLES

• Activity Scheduling (LCBT p.127)

• Breathing Restraining (LCBT p.163)

• Video Ilustration 14

• Graded Exposure:

• Imaginal Exposure (LCBT p. 166)

• In Vivo Exposure (LCBT p. 167)