NCE Exam: Behaviorism

Behavioral psychology

2nd force psychology. 1950's. The scientific study of human behavior. American. Includes cognitive-behavioral approaches, classical conditioning, behavior modification. Is quantitative, measuring only what is seen. Can be dehumanizing. Animal studies. Addresses symptoms only.

John B. Watson

Founder of behaviorism. Influenced by Thordike's "Law of Effect" and Pavlov's dog experiments. Theory of reinforcement.

Albert Bandura

A neo-behaviorist who created the Social Learning theory through many social experiments including the Bo-bo Doll experiment. Believed people produce & are products of conditioning.

Social learning theory

Bandura showed that people learn behavior through observing other people's behaviors & based on whether their behaviors were rewarded or punished.

Behaviorists

John B. Watson, B. F. Skinner, Pavlov, Edward Thorndike, Albert Bandura, Joseph Wolpe, Hans Eysenck, Mary Cover Jones, Neal Miller, Arnold Lazarus.

Empiricism

John Locke. Influence by rise of experimental science. We are all born as blank slates, therefore all knowledge is derived from sensory experiences/ environment.

Little Albert

Shows that fears are learned. Experiment where John B. Watson exposes a boy simultaneously to a white rat and a loud noise which caused him to cry. Eventually, exposure to small fury animals alone elicited this response.

Thorndike's "Law of Effect"

1905. Foundation of behavioral conditioning. States that responses that produce a satisfying effect in a particular situation are more likely to occur again in that situation, & responses that produce a discomforting effect are less likely to occur again in that situation.

David Premack's principle

High probability behaviors (HPB) can be used to reward/reinforce low probability behaviors (LPB).

Donald Meichenbaum

1960's - 1970's...Developed "Self-Instructional Therapy" (a type of CBT). Worked in trauma/PTSD & studied anger as it relates to violence. He focused on "self-talk", changing the "narrative". Creator of "Stress Inoculation" technique.

Cognitive behavioral therapy

Addresses negative thought patterns connected to destructive behaviors. A gradual process where the therapist helps ce identify problematic beliefs by doing a "functional analysis". Introspection of ce can lead to insights that are essential to tx. Ce learns and incrementally practices new skills for real situations. Strategies: journaling, role-playing, relaxation techniques, & mental distractions.

B. F. Skinner

American founder of "Operant Conditioning", aka. Instrumental conditioning., Behavior modification/ABA. He felt classical conditioning was too simplistic to explain complex human behavior.

Operant conditioning

B. F. Skinner. Main idea: Behavior changes after a reinforcement is given following a desired response. Best way to understand behavior is to look at the cause(s) and its consequence(s). This is based on Thorndike's Law of Effect, but Skinner added term "reinforcement". Rienforced behavior increases, while behavior that is not reinforced tends to die out or weakened.

Punishment

Opposite of reinforcement. A response from environment that decreases a behavior. There are both positive and negative punishments. (Ex. something unpleasant is added (spanking) v. something pleasant is removed (loss of tv privileges). Problems: behavior is merely suppressed and may return after removal of punishment; only tells you what not to do where reinforcers tell you what to do; can create unhealthy fears and can increase use of aggression to solve problems.

Negative reinforcement

Rewarding behavior by the removal of an adverse/unpleasant stimulus in order to strengthen that behavior. (doing your hw to avoid a poor grade)

Positive reinforcement

Rewarding behavior by adding a pleasant/desired stimulus in order to strengthen that behavior. (Doing your hw to get a good grade)

Operants

A behavior that is modifiable by its consequences. (Ex. A tantrum). Intentional actions that have an effect on the surrounding environment. Responses that follow behavior

Ivan Pavlov

Russian physiologist known for "classical conditioning" which focuses on associations. First experimental model of learning via measuring salivation of dogs. Studied reflexes UR/CR and reinforcers US/CS.

Reflex

A natural, unlearned response to a stimulus (UR).

Unconditioned stimulus

(US) An event that causes a response to occur (UR). The food presented to the dog.

Unconditioned response

(UR) A natural, unlearned response to an unconditioned stimulus. Aka. a reflex. The dog's salivation.

Stimulus generalization

This happens when stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus evoke the same conditioned response. This occurs in both classical conditioning and operant conditioning.

Stimulus discrimination

The ability to distinguish between one stimulus and similar stimuli. Occurs in both classical conditioning and operant conditioning.

Reinforcement schedule

Guidelines/rules of reinforcement. Exs: fixed ratio, variable ratio, fixed interval, intermittent, and continuous reinforcements.

Reinforcers

Response from the environment increase probability of a behavior being repeated. Reinforcers are both positive and negative.

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

Skinner's operant conditioning used to shape and modify problematic behaviors. Aka. Behavior Modification. Process: record baseline of problematic behavior prior to tx, add tx plan, measure problematic behavior post-treatment. Assesses causes/triggers of bad behavior and the reinforcing consequences to determine tx/behavior plan.

Classical Conditioning

From work of Ivan Pavlov. Works to form "associations" between stimuli through repetitious exposure. Aversion therapy, flooding, systematic desensitization are examples.

Modeling

Example of Skinner's operant conditioning where behavior is learned via the observation of another modeling the desired behavior.

Extinction

Operational conditioning technique where the behavior is given no reinforcement / attention so as to weaken the occurrence of the behavior. (ex. intentionally ignoring a child sticking out their tongue at you) Behavior usually gets worse before it gets better.

Token economies

Behavior is reinforced when person is given a symbolic item used to acquire an actual reward. (Ex. a paycheck itself is worthless. But that money can buy a desired item)

Contingency Management

A formal written contract that outlines the desired behaviors, reinforcements and rewards, as well as penalties.

Albert Ellis

One of the originators of cognitive-behavioral movement. Developed Rational Emotive Behavior therapy (REBT), a precursor to CBT. Early on he was a strong proponent of Freud's psychoanalysis. Influenced by Karen Horney, Alfred Adler, and Erich Fromm (neo-freudians). Believed choice provides the highest psychological outcome.

REBT

Albert Ellis aimed to directly address problematic beliefs that lead to self-defeating behaviors. It is an active-directive psychotherapy that uses the ABC model of personality: A= activating event (what happened?), B= belief about the event, & C= consequence (emotional response) to belief. Identify and challenge irrational beliefs/thought patterns. D = disputing irrational thoughts; E = a new emotional consequence. Distorted thinking includes: musturbations (shoulda & lights) & awfulizing. Ce is encouraged to change unwanted behaviors using meditation, journaling, and guided imagery.

Arnold Lazarus

Behaviorist known for his multimodal approach to cx, BASIC-ID: Behavior, Affective responses, Sensations, Imagery, Cognitions, Interpersonal Relationships, and Drugs.

Fixed ratio schedule

A schedule of reinforcement used in operant conditioning where a response is reinforced only after a specified number of responses. Produces a high steady rate of responding with only a brief pause of reinforcement delivery.

Fixed interval schedule

Used in operant conditioning where the first response/behavior is rewarded after a specified amount of time. This schedule causes high amounts of responding near the end of the interval, but much slower responding to immediately after the delivery of reinforcer.

Variable ratio schedule

A response is reinforced after an unpredictable amount of responses. It creates a steady, high rate of responding. (exs: gambling, lottery games)

Variable interval ratio

Reinforcement is given immediately after a behavior but on a varying interval of time. This schedule produces a slow, steady rate of response.

Intermittent reinforcement schedule

Operant conditioning term where reinforcer is given only part of the time after a subject gives the desired response. This is used when the rewarder wants to move from continuous reinforcement to less after a conditioned response is established.

Continuous reinforcement schedule

Operant conditioning method of learning where every correct response is reinforced every time. The most effective schedule for teaching new behavior.

Joseph Wolpe

Behaviorist who developed "systematic desensitization" based on Pavlov's classical conditioning.

Flooding/Exposure therapy

Work of Thomas Stampfl in 1967. Based on classical conditioning used to treat phobias, OCD and anxiety disorders by exposing the ce in vivo to their painful memories or most anxiety-producing situations (under controlled conditions). Main idea: avoidance of feared stimuli & anticipating catastrophe intensifies fear. It is usually effective. Although it is faster than syst. des., it can be traumatic and less effective.

In vivo exposure

Actual exposure to a feared stimulus.

Social Learning theory

Albert Bandura. Observing others being punished or rewarded for their behavior can lead to learning that behavior. Bo-bo doll experiment. Child learned aggressive behavior by watching adult get rewarded after hitting the bo-bo doll.

Neal Miller

Developed biofeedback. Tried to scientifically explain Freudian ideas of inner drives and motivations of human behavior. He is also associated with the "frustration-aggression theory".

Mary Cover Jones

Mother of behavior therapy. She developed "desensitization"/ "counter conditioning". A developmental psychologist who conducted the "Little Peter" study where she deconditioned/removed a 3 y.o. boy's fear of rabbits and similar items. She was influenced by Watson's Little Albert experiment.

Andrew Salter

Developed "conditioned reflex therapy" which set stage for "assertiveness therapy".

Yerkes-Dodson law

Says that a moderate amount of arousal of the nervous system improves performance. (ex. exams, sports)

Hans Eysenck

Studied connection of genetics and intelligence.

Systematic desensitization

A treatment for phobias where the patient is exposed progressively to more anxiety-producing stimuli and taught relaxation techniques to cope. 1. Relaxation training; 2. Construction of anxiety heirarchy; 3. Desensitization in imagination; 4. Desensitization in vivo. Based on classical conditioning & Mary Cover Jones' "counter conditioning".

Implosive therapy

Created by T. G. Stamfl. Behavioristic therapy that uses only the imagination to desensitize or sensitize a ce to stimulus. Main idea: avoidance of feared stimuli & anticipating catastrophe intensifies fear.

Covert sensitization

Making a ce more sensitive to a stimulus by having them imagine something undesirable when they imagine partaking in the unwanted targeted behavior. Then the ce is instructed to imagine something pleasant when imagining doing an alternative, healthy behavior.

SUDS scale

"Subjective units of distress." Used to measure a hierarchy of anxiety regarding a client's fear level of certain stimuli. Good for phobias & high anxiety situations, but not generalized anxiety. Based on classical conditioning.

Sensate focus

Based on research of Masters & Johnson. Behavioral sex therapy that relies on concept of "counter conditioning".

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing)

Francine Shapiro. Used to help ces deal with traumatic memories using the back and forth movement of one's eyes.

Sympathetic nervous system

One of 3 main divisions of the autonomic nervous syst. It's primary process is to stimulate the body's "fight or flight" & "freeze & dissociate" responses. Causes bodily responses to perceived danger, priming it for action like the release of adrenaline, sweaty palms, dialation of pupils, etc.

Parasympathetic nervous system

A main division of autonomic nervous system. Responsible for regulating the body's unconscious reactions. "Rest & digest" or "feed & breed" activities like sexual arousal, salivation, tears, urination, digestion, & defecation.

Autonomic nervous system

Regulated by the hypothalamus, it is responsible for control of the unconscious bodily functions such as breathing, heart beat, & digestive processes.

Biofeedback

A process whereby electronic monitoring of a normally automatic bodily function is used to train a ce to acquire voluntary control of that function & greater awareness of those bodily functions. Stress & distress management., stroke victims, pain management, etc. Thermometer, scale are everyday biofeedback devices.

Aversive conditioning

Cc establishes ce's baseline of undesirable behavior. Next the person is asked to think of the undesirable behavior they enjoy (smoking), while undergoing an unpleasant experience (smelling something foul) administered by the cc

Aaron T. Beck

Created Cognitive Therapy (CT) to treat depression. Theorized that depression resulted from: neg. thinking about oneself, one's future, & one's experience. Created Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI).

Maxie C. Maultsby

Created Rational Behavior Therapy (RBT).

Rational Behavior Therapy (RBT)

Similar to Ellis's REBT, but Maultsby emphasizes a written self-analysis which benefits multicultural CES & group therapy in which leader is highly directive.

Metacognition

awareness and understanding of one's own thought processes.

Stress Inoculation

Donald Meichenbaum. 3 phases: 1. "educational phase"- ce taught to monitor impact of inner dialogue on behavior; 2. "rehearsal phase"- ce taught to rehearse new self-realization; 3. "application phase"- new inner dialogue is attempted during actual stress-producing event.

Dr. Leonore Walker

created the "Cycle of domestic violence". 3 phases: (1) Tension-building Phase, (2) Acute or Crisis Phase, and (3) Calm or Honeymoon Phase. Without intervention, the frequency and severity of the abuse tends to increase over time.

Andrew Salter

A pioneer in behavior therapy who created a paradigm "conditioned reflex therapy", assertiveness training, & a behavioristic theory of hypnosis & autohypnosis.

conditioned reflex therapy

Andrew Salter emphasized assertive and expressive behaviour as the way to combat the inhibitory personality traits which Salter believed were the underlying cause of most neuroses.

behavioral rehearsal

The practice of a specific behavior, as in role-play. In assertiveness training, it is combined with a heirarchy of situations in which the client is usually non-assertive.

Cognitive restructuring

Refers to the therapeutic process of refuting irrational ideas & replacing them with rational ones.

cognitive-behavioral approaches

A classification of approaches which dwell on cognition, while emphasizing behavioral strategies for change.

Krumboltz

Behavioral career cc who used social learning theory and CBT techniques.