Psychological Therapies Overview

These flashcards cover key concepts and definitions related to various psychological therapies discussed in the lecture.

Classical Conditioning

A learning process that creates associations between stimuli and involuntary responses.

Aversive Conditioning

A behavioral therapy that associates an unpleasant stimulus with an unwanted behavior to reduce its occurrence.

Exposure Therapy

A psychological treatment that exposes patients to their fear in a controlled environment to help reduce anxiety.

Flooding

A type of exposure therapy where the patient is exposed to their most intense fear all at once.

Operant Conditioning

A learning principle where behaviors are modified through reinforcement or punishment.

Contingency Management

A behavioral treatment that relies on the systematic reinforcement of desired behaviors through contracts.

Token Economies

A behavioral therapy technique where individuals earn tokens for performing desired behaviors, which can be exchanged for rewards.

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

A therapeutic approach that uses operant conditioning to improve specific behaviors.

Cognitive Therapies

Psychological treatments aimed at changing negative thought patterns and beliefs to improve mental health.

Aaron Beck

A psychologist who developed cognitive therapy, focusing on the impact of negative thoughts on depression.

SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors)

Medications that increase serotonin levels in the brain, commonly used to treat depression.

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

A psychiatric treatment where a short electric current is passed through the brain to induce seizures, often used for severe depression.

Sociocultural Approaches

Treatments that consider the social and cultural factors affecting an individual's mental health.

Group Therapy

A form of psychotherapy where multiple patients participate simultaneously to benefit from shared experiences.

Self-Help Groups

Support groups led by members rather than professionals, often focused on shared issues like addiction.