The purpose of this paper is to define behavior therapy and examine some of the effective strategies used. Two empirical studies will be discussed that support behavior therapy.

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Behavior Therapy

An Exploration of Behavior Therapy

Lora Verhagen

Lakeland College

October 8, 2012

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this paper is to define behavior therapy and examine some of the effective strategies used.  Two empirical studies will be discussed that support behavior therapy.  Behavior therapy includes many different techniques and skills that focus on overt behaviors.  Some therapists have included cognitive, or covert behaviors into their treatment to provide more inclusive approach to changing a person’s thinking and physical behaviors.


              Behavior therapy is based on three models: operant conditioning, classical conditioning, and modeling.  Ivan Pavlov’s popular classical conditioning experiment with salivating dogs and later Hobart and Wilie Mowrer treatment for childhood bedwetting influenced the behavior therapy principles.  Mowrer’s treatment used a special pad that was put under the bed sheet and when a small amount of urine contacted the pad, a bell rang and awoke the child.  B.F. Skinner introduced the operant conditioning principles with his experiments with rats that were placed in a box with a lever  that immediately drop a food pellet when the rats pushed the lever.  Operant conditioning is increasing or decreasing a behavior by changing the consequences.  Skinner’s principles were applied to therapy in humans using rewards to encourage desirable behaviors and using punishment to extinguish less desirable behaviors.   Classical and operant conditioning emphasize a person’s actions and behaviors that can be observed.  Modeling techniques, such as role-playing and assertiveness training are based on the works of Albert Bandura’s observational learning theory.   A core belief in behavior therapy is that people behave the way they do because of external stimuli.  Individuals often respond in predictable ways to certain stimuli or life events.  Behavior that is rewarding or reinforcing will be repeated and the individual will learn from experience.   Many other techniques including systematic desensitization, which reduces the fear response by incorporating relaxation exercises and the use of  imagery also help the client manage anxious events or memories.  

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        Behavior therapy focuses on changing current behavior, goal setting, and  self- management skills.  Behavior therapy is an action therapy, unlike verbal therapies such as client-centered and psychoanalysis.  Homework assignments are often part of therapy that may include rehearsing coping skills, recording behaviors, or identifying trigger behaviors.  Four common characteristics of behavior therapy defined by Spiegler are: individualized therapy, stepwise progression, treatment packages, and brevity .  Treatment is tailored to each client’s personal issues, progresses from simple to more complex tasks, often combines more than one behavioral therapy procedure, and is relatively short in duration (Spiegler, 2010).

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