Behavioral Theories and Therapies

Pavlov's Classical Conditioning Theory

Pairing of a neutral stimulus with another stimulus to elicit a response

Watson's Behavioral Theory

Contended that personality traits and responses—adaptive and maladaptive—were socially learned through classical conditioning.

Skinner's Operant Conditioning Theory

A method of learning that occurs through rewards and punishment for voluntary behavior. Behavioral responses are elicited through positive and negative reinforcement, which causes a behavior to occur more frequently.

Behavioral Therapy

Modeling, operant conditioning, exposure therapy, aversion therapy, and biofeedback

Modeling

the therapist provides a role model for specific identified behaviors, and the patient learns through imitation.

Aversion Therapy

pairing a target behavior with a negative stimulus in order to extinguish undesirable behavior.

Biofeedback

is used for controlling the body's physiological response to stress and anxiety.