Behavior Therapy

J.B. Watson:
Emphasized the overriding importance of the
environmental events, rejecting covert
aspects of the individual. He claimed that all
behavior could be understood as a result of
learning. (Nature vs. Nurture)

CLASSICAL CONDITIONING

A type of learning in which a neutral stimulus

is presented repeatedly with one that
reflexively elicits a particular response so the
neutral stimulus will eventually elicit the
response itself.

Ivan Pavlov

OPERANT CONDITIONING

A type of learning in which behavior is

increased or decreased by systemically
changing its consequences.

B.F. Skinner

Insisted that overt behavior was the only

acceptable subject of scientific investigation
and rejected mentalistic (unconsciousness
and phenomenology) concepts

BEHAVIOR THEORY OF PERSONALITY

Overt Behavior:
Actions that can be directly observed by
others.

Positive reinforcement:
The process by which the introduction of a
stimulus has a consequence of a behavior
that increases the likelihood that the behavior
will be performed.

BEHAVIOR THEORY OF PERSONALITY

Shaping:
Gradually reinforcing certain parts of a
behavior to more closely approximate the
desired behavior.
Generalization:
Transferring the response from one type of
stimuli to similar stimuli.

BEHAVIOR THEORY OF PERSONALITY

Discrimination:
Responding differentially to stimuli that are
similarly based on different cues or
antecedent events.

Extinction:
The process of no longer presenting a
reinforcement. It is used to decrease or
eliminate certain behaviors.

SOCIAL COGNITIVE THEORY

(or Social Learning Theory)

Albert Bandura:
Believed behavior was based on three
interacting systems;

a) external stimulus,
b) external reinforcement, and
most importantly,
c) cognitive mediational processes.

SOCIAL COGNITIVE THEORY

(or Social Learning Theory)

Reciprocal Determinism:
Psychological functioning involves a
reciprocal interaction among three
interlocking sets of influences: behavior,
cognitive processes, and environmental
factors.

OBSERVATIONAL LEARNING CONCEPTS

Observational learning:
A type of learning is which people are
influenced by observing the behaviors of
others.
Covert behavior:
Behavior that others cannot directly perceive,
such as thinking or feeling.

OBSERVATIONAL LEARNING CONCEPTS

Attentional processes:
The act of perceiving or watching something
and learning from it.
Retention processes:
This basically refers to remembering that
which has been observed.
Motor reproduction processes: This refers to
translating what one has seen into action
using motor skills.

OBSERVATIONAL LEARNING CONCEPTS

Motivational processes:
For observations to be put into action and
then continued for some time, reinforcement
must be present. Reinforcement brings about
motivation.
Self-Efficacy: The individuals perceptions of
their ability to deal with different types of
events.

GOALS OF BEHAVIOR THERAPY

It is fundamental to behavior therapy that the

client should have the major say in setting
treatment goals, it is important that the client
is fully informed, and consents to and
participates in setting goals.
Provide a direction to counseling
Provide a basis for selecting and using
strategies & interventions.
Provide a framework for evaluating the outcome.

Process of Setting Goals

1.
2.

3.
4.

5.

Counselor explains the purpose of goals.

Client specifies the positive changes desired as a
result of counseling.
Together they explore whether the goals are realistic.
They discuss advantages and disadvantages of the
goals.
On the basis of the information obtained about clientstated goals, the counselor and the client make one of
the following decisions: to continue counseling, to
reconsider the clients goals, or the seek a referral.

Advantages of goal setting

It increases the chances of making the counselor/client

alliance operational.

It emphasizes the importance of their active participation

in the process, rather than fostering an attitude of being
a passive spectator.

It is the basic link between whatever therapeutic

procedures or techniques are used and the concrete
goals of the client.

Therapists Function and Role

Behavior therapists must assume an active,

directive role in treatment.

Behavior therapists function as teacher,

director, and expert in prescribing curative
procedures that will lead to improved
behavior.

Therapists Function and Role

Use techniques such as summarization,

reflection, clarification, and open-ended
questions.
They focus on specifics, systematically
getting information about specific
antecedents, the dimensions of the problem
behavior, and the consequences of the
problem. (Goldried & Davison, 1976)

MODELING TECHNIQUES
The therapists role is also modeling behavior
for the client.

Because clients often view their therapist as

worthy of emulation, they pattern attitudes,
values, beliefs, and behavior after him or her.
Therapists need to be aware of the power
they play in this process.

Relationship between
Therapist and Client

Exemplified by warmth, empathy, authenticity,

permissiveness, and acceptance as necessary
but not sufficient conditions for behavioral
change.

Behavior therapists are more self-disclosing

when it benefits the motivation of the client.

Therapists Function and Role

Live modeling:
Symbolic modeling:
Role-playing:
Participant modeling:
Covert modeling: