Behavioral

Generalist Practice: Micro An Overview of Behavioral Theories Cognitive Behavioral Theories

History & Development of Behavioral Theory John Locke (1632-1704) Tabula Rasa Ivan Pavlov (1927) The Great Salivating Dog Experiment

Watson & Skinner (Operant Conditioning) Social Learning Theory (Bandura; 1960s on)

Classical versus Operant Conditioning Classical An association developed between a stimulus and a response is strengthened by the pairing of the stimulus This is the classic Pavlov experiment

Operant Acquiring a new response because of an effect in the environment Example: Use of Reinforcement & Punishment

Concepts of Operant Conditioning Positive Reinforcement

When the results of the behavior increase the frequency of the behavior

A babysitter give a cookie to a child to stop him from whining. The cookie reinforces whining

Punishment

When the results of the behavior decrease the frequency of the behavior

A child is given a time out for whining. The time out decreases the chance the child will whine

Negative Reinforcement

When a behavior increases because it is followed by withdrawal of an unpleasant stimulus

The terrible babysitter above will keep giving the child cookies. Giving the child cookie prevents whining

Extinction

When a behavior stops because it is no longer reinforced

The babysitter gets fed up and quits giving cookies. The child quits whining as it doesn’t get him cookies.

Schedules of Reinforcement Continuous Reinforcement Intermittent Reinforcement Interval Reinforcement

Keys to Behaviorism Define behavior clearly Overt Behaviors: Observable and measurable. Tearfulness, Hitting, Laughing

Covert Behaviors: Measured by selfreport or specialized equipment. Anxiety, Depression, Fear

Keys to Behaviorism Completing A Functional Analysis Antecedents: What happens before the behavior (5 WH’s) Behavior: Measurable & Observable (Operationally Defined) Consequences: Can be good, neutral, or bad. Ask yourself… “What is the function of the behavior? What goal is the individual attempting to accomplish?”

Assessment in Behaviorism Behavioral Interview (Identify ABC) Behavioral Self-Report (RAI & Rating Scales) Observations of Key Informants Inter-rater Reliability Issues

Naturalistic Observation Functional Behavioral Analysis Physiological Measures (Biofeedback)

Techniques of Helping Environmental Changes Shaping, Approximating, Chaining Systematic Desensitization SUDS (Subjective Units of Disturbance)

Counter-conditioning Imaginal Flooding In Vivo Desensitization Modeling, Role Play, Behavioral Rehearsal Behavioral Training

Generalist Practice: Micro Cognitive Behavioral Theories

Famous Theorist Beck: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Ellis: Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy Meichenbuam: Cognitive Behavioral Modification Although there are differences in how each theory approaches level of direction, confrontation, and therapist role…they all share common themes

The interplay of affect, behavior, and cognition Affect

Behavior

Cognition

Common Themes Identifying the content of cognition Assumptions Beliefs Expectations Self-Talk Attributions

Examines the interplay between thought, emotion, and behavior

Introducing yet another ABC model Cognitive-Behavioral Theory ABC Model Activating Event (s) Beliefs Consequences

Listening specifically for: Automatic Thoughts Cognitive Distortions

Assessment in CognitiveBehavioral Theory Interviewing: Listening for cognitive distortions, thinking errors, selfdefeating beliefs, and irrational thoughts in the client’s inner and outer dialogue Daily Thought Records Reality Testing to assess for malleability of thought patterns (i.e. suggesting alternative interpretations)

Common Distortions in Thought Arbitrary Inferences: conclusions without supporting evidence Catastrophizing: Worst case scenario Selective Abstraction: Forming conclusions based on isolated details of an event, missing the total context Overgeneralization: Extreme beliefs based on limited experience or one time experience Magnification/Minimization: Personalization: It’s all about me Labeling/Mislabeling: Historic mistakes/ imperfections define the current person Polarized Thinking: All or nothing thinking or It is all bad or all good.

Treatment: Monitor thought patterns Identify thinking errors Develop alternative explanation and thoughts for thinking errors (It has got to make sense to the client, not only to you.) Lot’s of other techniques including behavioral oriented interventions