Behavior Therapy, CBT, Choice Theory & Reality Therapy Study Guide

Vocabulary flashcards covering core definitions, theorists, and therapeutic models across Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Choice Theory, and Reality Therapy.

Behavioral Therapy

A therapeutic approach that focuses on directly observable behavior, current determinants of behavior, learning experiences, and present problems rather than the past.

Classical Conditioning

Learning that occurs through pairing two stimuli, where a previously neutral stimulus becomes associated with a stimulus that naturally produces a response until it elicits that response on its own.

Operant Conditioning

A type of learning in which behaviors are influenced by the consequences that follow them.

Social Learning Approach

Also called the social-cognitive approach; an area of behavior therapy development where behavior, personal factors, and the environment influence one another.

ABC Model (Behavioral Therapy)

A behavioral framework where A represents Antecedents (events before behavior), B represents Behavior (the actual action), and C represents Consequences (events after behavior).

Positive Reinforcement

The addition of something desirable in order to increase a target behavior.

Negative Reinforcement

The removal of something unpleasant in order to increase a target behavior.

Extinction

A behavioral technique that decreases or eliminates a behavior by withholding reinforcement from a previously reinforced response.

Positive Punishment

The addition of something unpleasant in order to decrease a target behavior.

Negative Punishment

The removal of something desirable in order to decrease a target behavior.

Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR)

A stress-coping method involving learning to relax muscles and reduce physical tension until relaxation becomes a well-learned, habitual response.

Subjective Units of Distress (SUDS)

A self-rating scale used by clients to measure, identify, and monitor anxiety levels, often used when constructing an anxiety hierarchy.

Systematic Desensitization

A classical conditioning-based procedure developed by Joseph Wolpe to reduce maladaptive anxiety through relaxation training, an anxiety hierarchy, and gradual exposure.

In Vivo Exposure

An exposure therapy technique that involves confronting actual, real-life anxiety-provoking situations rather than imagining them.

Flooding

Prolonged exposure to anxiety-provoking situations (in vivo or imaginal) where the client remains exposed without experiencing the feared consequences.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

An exposure-based therapy for traumatic stress disorders that combines imaginal flooding, cognitive restructuring, and rhythmic bilateral stimulation such as eye movements.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

A treatment combining behavioral and psychoanalytic techniques that balances acceptance-oriented and change-oriented strategies, originally designed for borderline personality disorder.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

A therapy that uses acceptance and mindfulness to increase psychological flexibility by nonjudgmentally observing thoughts rather than attempting to change their content.

ABC Framework (REBT)

Albert Ellis's model where A is the Activating Event, B is the Beliefs about the event, and C is the emotional and behavioral Consequence produced by those beliefs.

Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)

A CBT approach developed by Albert Ellis that focuses on identifying and disputing irrational beliefs to replace them with rational thoughts and unconditional self-acceptance.

Arbitrary Inference

A cognitive distortion defined as reaching conclusions without sufficient evidence.

Selective Abstraction

A cognitive distortion that involves focusing on one negative detail while ignoring the bigger picture.

Overgeneralization

A cognitive distortion characterized by making broad, sweeping conclusions based on a single event.

Magnification and Minimization

A cognitive distortion characterized by exaggerating negative aspects while downplaying positive ones.

Personalization

A cognitive distortion that occurs when an individual blames themselves for events that are not entirely their responsibility.

Labeling and Mislabeling

A cognitive distortion that entails attaching negative labels to oneself or others based on specific mistakes or experiences.

Dichotomous Thinking

Also called all-or-nothing thinking; viewing situations in two extreme, polarized categories with no middle ground.

Strength-Based CBT

A four-step approach developed by Christine Padesky and Kathleen Mooney comprising Search, Construct, Apply, and Practice.

Cognitive Narrative Approach

Donald Meichenbaum's CBT framework holding that individuals are storytellers whose internal narratives dictate how they interpret reality.

Social Skills Training

A behavioral intervention designed to develop interpersonal competence through psychoeducation, modeling, behavioral rehearsal, and corrective feedback.

Choice Theory

A theory developed by William Glasser stating that all behavior is purposeful and internally motivated to satisfy basic psychological and physical needs.

Five Basic Needs

The universal human needs identified in Choice Theory: Survival, Love and Belonging, Power, Freedom, and Fun.

Quality World

Also called the Photo Album in Choice Theory; an internal mental album of specific people, things, experiences, and beliefs that satisfy a person's needs.

Total Behavior

A Choice Theory concept indicating that all behavior is composed of four inseparable, interrelated components: Acting, Thinking, Feeling, and Physiology.

Reality Therapy

A therapy developed by William Glasser focusing on personal responsibility, present choices, and helping clients satisfy their needs without relying on transference.

WDEP System

A procedural framework in Reality Therapy: W (Wants), D (Doing/Direction), E (Evaluation), and P (Planning).

SAMIC

An acronym used in Reality Therapy to guide effective planning: Simple, Attainable, Measurable, Immediate, and Controlled by the planner.

Multimodal Therapy

A systematic, holistic behavioral therapy developed by Arnold Lazarus based on social-cognitive learning theory that employs technical eclecticism.

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)

An eight-week group treatment with two-hour weekly sessions combining MBSR and CBT to help clients intentionally respond to automatic negative thoughts.

Four Modules of DBT

The four core skills components of Dialectical Behavior Therapy: Mindfulness, Interpersonal Effectiveness, Emotional Regulation, and Distress Tolerance.