EDAS 748 LIBERTY UNIVERSITY Theories_Conceptualization_2024.pdf

Behavior

Theoretical Views

Name of theory: Behavior

Founder of the theory: B. F. Skinner

View of human nature (include innate capacities/capabilities and motivational constructs):

individuals are the produce and product of the environment (Corey, 2017)

give control to clients and increase their range of freedom (Corey, 2017)

View of pathology/maladjustment (how do individuals develop dysfunction/mental illness):

behavior is learned

social control and self-control sometimes produce detrimental effects which can result

in inappropriate behaviors (Feist & Feist, 2009)

escape, revolt, or use passive resistance are used when their behaviors are excessive

(Feist & Feist, 2009)

View of well-functioning individual:

learn socially acceptable behaviors (Corey, 2017)

View of the change process:

clients take an active role in therapy (Corey, 2017)

counselors empower clients (Corey, 2017)

Roles and Goals Counseling relationship/counselor role:

conduct a functional assessment or behavioral analysis (Corey, 2017)

using the ABC model (antecedents, behavior, and consequences) therapist conduct a

functional assessment (Corey, 2017)

tend to be active and directive and to function as consultants and problem solvers

(Corey, 2017)

skills in selecting and applying treatment methods (Corey, 2017)

Counseling goals:

increase personal choice and to create new conditions for learning (Corey, 2017)

therapist and client establish treatment goals (Corey, 2017)

formal assessment takes place prior to treatment to determine behaviors (Corey, 2017)

goals must be clear, concrete understood, and agreed on by the client and the counselor

(Corey, 2017)

Key Concepts:

classical and operant conditioning

classical conditioning (also known as respondent conditioning) refers to what happens

prior to learning that creates a response through pairing (Corey, 2017)

classical conditioning is responsible for more complex human learning like phobias,

fears, and anxieties. (Feist & Feist, 2009)

operant behaviors such as reading, writing, driving a car, or eating with utensil are the

most significant responses we make every day in life (Corey, 2017)

operant conditioning involves a type of learning which behaviors are influenced by the

consequences that follow them (Corey, 2017)

Learning theory

or the social cognitive approach which is interactional, interdisciplinary, and

multimodal (Corey, 2017)

people develop effective social skills after they are in contact with other people who

effectively model interpersonal skills (Corey, 2017)

involves a triadic reciprocal interaction among the environmental events on behavior

are determined by cognitive processes (Corey, 2017)

Modeling

learn through observation and limitation (Corey, 2017)

Multimodal therapy

comprehensive, systematic, holistic approach to behavior therapy developed by Aronald

Lazarus (Corey, 2017)

social cognitive therapy (Corey, 2017)

draws empirically supported methods (Corey, 2017)

encourages technical eclecticism (Corey, 2017)

borrows techniques from other therapy systems (Corey, 2017)

Assertion and relaxation training

assertion training people have the right to express themselves teaches (Corey, 2017)

relaxation method teaches people to cope with the stresses produced by daily living

(Corey, 2017)

aimed at achieving muscle and mental relaxation and is easily learned

Systematic desensitization

based on the principle of classical conditioning (Corey, 2017)

empirically researched procedure that is time consuming, yet effective and efficient in

reducing maladaptive anxiety and treating anxiety related disorders (Cormier et al., 2013;

Spiegler, 2016 as cited in Corey, 2017)

Exposure methods

design to treat fears and other negative emotional responses by introducing clients to the

situations that contributed to their problems (Corey, 2017)

key process in treating a wide range of problems associated with fear and anxiety (Corey,

2017)

involves systematic confrontation with feared stimulus through imagination or in vivo

(Corey, 2017)

two variations of traditional systematic desensitization are in vivo exposure and flooding

(Corey, 2017)

Techniques and Diagnosis/Appraisal Instruments/Approaches

Major techniques:

Applied behavioral analysis: operant conditioning techniques (Corey, 2017)

positive reinforcement

negative reinforcement

extinction

punishment

positive punishment

negative punishment

progressive muscle relaxation

systematic desensitization

vivo exposure and flooding

eye movement desensitization and reprocessing

social skills training

self-management programs and self-directed behavior

Assessment of need for treatment planning:

conduct a thorough functional assessment or behavioral analysis (Corey, 2017)

Assessment of counseling progress:

the client and therapist define treatment goals (Corey, 2017)

therapists and clients can alter goals throughout the therapeutic process (Corey, 2017)

Multicultural Strengths and Shortcomings:

Strengths:

Because of their cultural and ethnic backgrounds, some clients hold values that are

contrary to the free expression of feelings and the sharing of personal concerns

focuses on environmental conditions that contribute to a client's problem

social and political influences can play a significant role in the lives of people of color

through discriminatory practices and economic problems (Corey, 2017)

takes into consideration the social and cultural dimensions of the client's life (Corey,

2017)

stresses a thorough assessment of the person's life circumstances

Shortcomings:

therapists need to become more responsive to specific issues pertaining to all forms of

diversity (Corey, 2017)

pay attention to race, gender, ethnicity, and sexual orientation to address social justice

issues as they arise in a client's therapy (Corey, 2017)

using a variety of techniques in narrowly treating specific behavioral problems (Corey,

2017)

Research Supporting the Effectiveness:

Challenges us to reconsider our global approach to counseling (Corey, 2017)

precision in specifying goals, target behaviors, and procedures (Corey, 2017)

wide variety of specific behavioral techniques at their disposal because behavior therapy

stresses doing, as opposed to merely talking about problems and gathering insights

(Corey, 2017)

emphasis on research into and assessment treatment outcomes (Corey, 2017)

emphasis on ethical accountability (Corey, 2017)

results suggest that mindfulness-based therapy is a promising intervention for treating

anxiety and mood problems in clinical populations (Hofmann et. al, 2010)

Limitations/Criticisms:

may change behaviors, but it does not change feelings (Corey, 2017):

does not provide insight (Corey, 2017)

treats symptoms rather than causes (Corey, 2017)

involves control and social influence by the therapist (Corey, 2017)

Reference:

Corey, G. (2017). Theory and practice of counseling and psychotherapy 10th edition. Boston,

MA: Cengage Learning

Feist, J. & Feist, G. (2009). Theories of personality 7th edition. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill

Hofmann, S. G., Sawyer, A. T., Witt, A. A., & Oh, D. (2010). The effect of mindfulness-based

therapy on anxiety and depression: A meta-analytic review. Journal of Consulting and

Clinical Psychology, 78(2), 169-183.

Students also viewed