Behavioral Psychotherapy

BT is rooted in ______ theory, classical & operant _______, and later, social learning/____ approaches

learning, conditioning, CBT

name some aspects of behavior therapy

Built on observable behavior

Emphasizes measurable goals, skills, and practice

Action oriented, empirically based psychotherapy

what are 5 core assumptions of behavior therapy

Behavior is learned, not caused by unconscious conflict

Maladaptive behavior is acquired through conditioning

Behavior can be unlearned or modified

Therapy is present-focused

Treatment goals must be specific, observable, and measurable

BT is similar to what other types of psychotherapies?

CBT, REBT, Multimodal, CT

what is the therapist like in BT

Active, directive, teacher-like. Designs interventions, assigns homework, tracks measurable progress

Main contribution of Ivan Pavlov

Classical conditioning

Main contribution of John B. Watson

Behaviorism; rejection of introspection

Main contribution of B.F. Skinner

Operant conditioning

Main contribution of Joseph Wolpe

Systematic desensitization

Main contribution of Mary Cover Jones

Early behavior therapy (Little Peter)

Main contribution of E.L. Thorndike

Law of Effect

Main contribution of Albert Bandura

Social learning (bridge to cognitive approaches)

what is _____ can be unlearned

learned

Define Positive Reinforcement

A child cleans their room and gets extra screen time (Behavior increases because a reward was added)

Define Negative Reinforcement

A student leaves early to avoid morning traffic (Behavior increases because an aversive condition [traffic] is removed)

Define Positive Punishment

An employee is reprimanded after missing a deadline (Behavior decreases because something aversive was added)

Define Negative Punishment

A teen breaks curfew and loses car privileges (Behavior decreases because a reward was removed)

Define shaping

Getting closer to the target behavior

_______ increases behavior

reinforcement

_______ decreases behavior

punishment

define social learning theory

social behavior is learned by observing and imitating the behavior of others

what are the importances of social learning theory (extending to behaviorism)

By observing a model, one grasps entire behaviors as well as component parts

May remain dormant until a situation warrants expression of the learned behavior

Synonym for modeling

define rule governed behavior

Looking both ways before crossing the street (just something we’ve all learned based on feedback from others)

define radical acceptance

accepting even the most difficult situations the way they are rather than trying to avoid them — Acknowledging the current or past situation without judgment and without criticizing yourself or others

how is the therapist in BT different than in PCC and PDT

They are more direct and goal-focused and do not pay attention to unconscious drives

who is considered the father of behaviorism

JB watson

Components of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Radical acceptance, Accept reality completely with mind, body, and spirit, Helps reduce behaviors driven by escape/avoidance, such as self harm or emotional outbursts, Used during moments of intense emotional pain

Components of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Accepting internal experiences (thoughts, feelings, sensations) instead of avoiding or fighting them, Making space for discomfort so that behavior can be guided by values, not fear or control, “Willingness” to experience pain if its in the service of meaningful action

differences between BT and CT

BT	CT
Focus on behavior	Focus on thoughts
Conditioning	Information processing
Therapist-directed	Collaborative empiricism
Change behavior	Change beliefs

name the behavioral assessment methods

·      Functional analysis (ABC)

·      Direct observation

·      Behavioral interviews

·      Self-monitoring

·      Baseline measurement

define functional analysis

identifying problematic thinking and where change can best begin

define baseline measurement

measuring the client’s baseline behaviors in order to have a start-point for treatment

define flooding

behavior modification technique used to treat phobias and anxiety disorders. By facing fears directly and repeatedly, the person can learn to manage and eventually overcome their phobia or anxiety.

define systematic desensitization

a form of exposure therapy, which aids patients by breaking cycles of avoidance, fear, and anxiety

define counterconditioning

having someone experience a positive association with a previously negatively associated stimulus.