Class/PSYC223/Carla's Blog: Behavior Therapy

What is behavior therapy - it is the focus on directly observable behavior, current determinants of behavior, learning experiences that promote change, tailoring treatment strategies to individual clients, & rigorous assessment and evaluation (Corey, 2012, p. 247).

Key Figures: Burrhus Frederic Skinner & Albert Bandura

B. F. Skinner

B. F. Skinner (1904 - 1990). Skinner is best known as the father of behavioral approach to psychology (Corey, 2012, p.245).
Skinner influenced education as well as psychology. In Skinner’s view, education has two major purposes: (1) to teach repertoires of both verbal and nonverbal behavior; and (2) to encourage students to display an interest in instruction. He endeavored to bring students’ behavior under the control of the environment by reinforcing it only when particular stimuli were present.(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._F._Skinner)

Albert Bandura

Albert Bandura (1925-) Bandura broadened the scope of behavior therapy by exploring the inner cognitive-affective forces that motivate human behavior (Corey, 2012, p. 245). Key Concepts: Behavior therapy is used to treat several different psychological disorders varying from anxiety disorders to eating disorders. Four areas of development 1) Classical conditioning 2) Operant conditioning 3) Social-cognitive theory 4) Cognitive behavior therapy. The current trend in behavior therapy is toward developing procedures that give control to clients and thus increase their range of freedom (Corey, 2012, p. 250). According to a recent article (Corey, 2012, p. 255) "In contrast, most behavioral practitioners contend that factors such as warmth, empathy, authenticity, permissiveness, and acceptance are necessary, but not sufficient, for behavior change to occur." Techniques: In today's society behavior therapists use a wide range of techniques involving cognitive therapy as well as other behavioral conditioning techniques. According to an article (Corey, 2012, 278) "In helping clients achieve their goals, behavior therapists typically assume an active and directive role." Basically, therapists in today's society want to help the client through various techniques to overcome past actions in their behavior by implementing new positive behaviors. Techniques such as role playing, relaxation procedures, behavioral rehearsal, coaching, guided practice, modeling, feedback, learning by successive approximations, mindfulness skills, and homework assignments can be included in any therapist's repertoire, regardless of theoretical orientation (Corey, 2012, p. 278). Goals of the theory: The main goals of behavior therapy is for clients' current behavior to be changed to a better way of life. "Behavior therapy puts a premium on doing and on taking steps to make concrete changes" (Corey, 2012, p. 12). Behavior therapy ultimately aims at giving clients the ability to learn new behaviors to help lead to a positive life while building up the clients self-esteem and confidence level as well. Suggested Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCyfMFXR-n0