BEHAVIORAL & COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL MODELS
THEORISTS:
- Ivan Pavlov (1930s)
- Russian research physiologist who developed idea of classical conditioning– animals developed a learned response to a given stimuli.
- John Watson
- Applied classical conditioning principles to human behavior. Classical conditioning used to treat anxiety disorders, enuresis and sexual problems.
- Joseph Wolpe (1940s)
- Determined that phobias could be treated using systematic desensitization since they are classical conditioned responses.
- BF Skinner (1950s)
- Coined the term of a scientific method called operant conditioning.
- Aaron Beck (1960s)
- Developed the Cognitive therapy model, which states that an individual’s perceptions about a situation are more closely connected to his/her reaction then the actual situation itself.
The basic premise of the Behavioral and Cognitive-Behavioral therapy models is that all behaviors are learned behaviors. These models are based on the principles of learning and focus on current behaviors and adequacy of functioning. Unlike other models, the CBT model does not assess for structural problems, parental conflict, or faulty interactional patterns. Behavioral therapists subscribe to linear model of causality and believe that dysfunctional behaviors and symptoms are learned responses that have been acquired involuntarily and reinforced. The goal of CBT is to modify irrational thinking and change distorted thoughts, thereby lessening problematic behaviors and increasing positive behaviors.
GOALS
- To alter unproductive behavior and cognitive patterns in order to alleviate the problem
- Increase desired behavior/cognitions
- Decrease undesirable behavior/cognitions
- Improve problem-solving skills
TERMS
- Classical Conditioning
- A type of learning where one is conditioned to link two stimuli together. An unconditioned stimulus (UCS) is paired with a conditioned stimulus (CS). When the UCS and CS continue to occur together, then the two stimuli would become associated over time, in order to produce a behavioral response known as a conditional response (CR).
- Operant Conditioning
- A type of learning in which the frequency of a voluntary behavior may be altered by its consequence. When a desired reinforcement followed the behavior, the frequency increased, but when a negative reinforcement followed the behavior, the frequency decreased.
- Positive reinforcers
- When a favorable outcome (praise, reward, token) occurs after a behavior, the frequency of that particular behavior will be increased.
- Reinforcers, whether positive or negative, always increase the target response.
- Positive reinforcers are initiated after a behavior.
- When a favorable outcome (praise, reward, token) occurs after a behavior, the frequency of that particular behavior will be increased.
- Negative reinforcers
- When a non favorable outcome (anger, yelling, punishment) occurs after a behavior, the frequency of that particular behavior will be decreased.
- Reinforcers, whether positive or negative, always increase the target response.
- Negative reinforcers are discontinued after a behavior.
- When a non favorable outcome (anger, yelling, punishment) occurs after a behavior, the frequency of that particular behavior will be decreased.
- Social reinforcer
- Interpersonal stimuli (such as praise, approval, nagging, or yelling) that increase the frequency of behavior.
- Primary reinforcer
- Biologically determined reinforcers (food, sex, etc).
- Secondary reinforcer
- Motivating reinforcements that follow primary reinforcements (praise, grades, tokens, or money).
- Punishment
- Consequences utilized as retribution for a particular behavior, which result in a decrease of that behavior.
- Extinction
- The process in which an undesirable behavior is diminished or extinguished by NOT reinforcing it (ex., ignore a child’s temper tantrum).
- Schedules of reinforcement
- Specific behaviors may be reinforced after each occurrence or after a fixed number of occurrences.
- Modeling
- Learning by observing another’s behavior and witnessing the consequences of those actions.
- Premack principle
- A preferred behavior (one in which the subject would voluntarily engage) can be used to reinforce a less preferred behavior (one in which the subject would not voluntarily engage).
- Systematic desensitization
- Based on classical conditioning, systematic desensitization is a treatment for anxiety and phobias in which the client is taught to pair relaxation techniques with progressively anxiety-provoking stimuli until the client’s anxiety is dissipated.
- Reciprocal Inhibition- the pairing of an anxiety-arousing stimulus with a relaxation response.
- In Vivo Desensitization- when an individual gradually approaches the actual feared object or situation.
- Based on classical conditioning, systematic desensitization is a treatment for anxiety and phobias in which the client is taught to pair relaxation techniques with progressively anxiety-provoking stimuli until the client’s anxiety is dissipated.
- Subjective Units of Discomfort (SUDS)
- A scale used to measure anxiety level of clients.
- Quid pro quo contract
- A behavioral contract in which a behavior, action, or advantage is contingent upon receiving something in return.
- Parallel (good faith) contract
- A behavioral contacts in which a behavioral change will occur regardless of the other person’s behavior or desire to change.
- Shaping
- Based on operant conditioning, in this technique. rewards are given for any behavior that resembles the desired behavior (ex., toilet training).
- Token economy
- A system of rewards using points, wherein if an individual exhibits the desired behavior, the points may be accumulated and then exchanged for rewards. However, if an undesired behavior is displayed, points or tokens may be withdrawn.
- Thought Records
- A type of structured journaling in which clients record and analyze their own cognitions and behaviors in an attempt to develop more adaptive responses.
ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT
- Treatment is time limited
- Therapy is symptom focused
- Behavioral therapists first obtain and record the baseline of the problem behavior, including the frequency and duration of the behavior; and then assess what is reinforcing the behavior and assign behavioral tasks to increase positive behaviors
- Cognitive therapists identify irrational thoughts and educate the clients about how their irrational beliefs are resulting in dysfunctional emotional and behavioral patterns; and then assign behavioral tasks and homework to begin new ways of thinking.
STANCE OF THE THERAPIST
- Teacher/coach
- Directive
- Model
CONTEMPORARY MODELS
- Functional Family Therapy
- James Alexander
- A family based prevention and intervention program used with delinquent youth to overcome adolescent behavioral problems. The therapist identifies dysfunctional interactional sequences and cognitions (beliefs, thoughts, and attitudes) the family holds. The therapist then interrupts the sequence, educates the family members, and guides the family to implement behavioral changes so that they can function cohesively.
- Rational Emotive Family Therapy (REBT)
- Albert Ellis
- Main idea of REBT:
- It is largely our thinking about events that leads to emotional and behavioral disturbance and cognitive distortion
- Goal of REBT is to identify and modify irrational beliefs through cognitive restructuring
- Utilizes the “ABCD” model (the belief about the activating event causes the consequences:
- Activating Event (ex., a person’s invitation to dinner is rejected)
- Belief (rejection of dinner invitation makes the person feel worthless)
- Consequences (symptoms) (feeling of worthlessness)
- Disputing (therapist disputes irrational beliefs about not having the dinner invitation accepted)