(11) 5.5b Behavior Group Therapies

  • Behavior Therapy

    • Applies learning principles to eliminate unwanted behaviors

  • Counterconditioning

    • Uses classical conditioning to evoke new responses to stimuli that trigger unwanted behaviors

  • Exposure Therapies

    • Treat anxieties by exposing people to things they fear/avoid

  • Systematic desensitization

    • Pairing fear stimulus with relaxation techniques → conditioning them to associate the stimulus with relaxation

  • Aversive Conditioning

    • Associates an unpleasant state with an unwanted behavior

  • Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

    • Reinforcing desired behaviors and withholding reinforcement for undesired behaviors

  • Token Economy

    • Earn a token for exhibiting a desired behavior & exchange the token for privileges or treats

  • Group Therapy

    • Conducted with groups rather than individuals → therapeutic benefits from group interaction

  • Family Therapy

    • Treats the family as a system → Views an individual’s unwanted behaviors as influenced by, or directed at, other family members