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Behavior Modification: Repetitive Negative Thinking Behavior
Nonnie Ramsey
Professor Thornhill
Psych 320
Institute
June 3, 2023
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Behavior Modification: Repetitive Negative Thinking Behavior
Repetitive negative thinking is one of the most prominent behavioral problems wherein
an individual constantly thinks about different situations and faces difficulty in controlling his
thoughts, which in turn, leads to different psychological problems, including anxiety or
depression. For instance, some people constantly worry about their future and think they will
fail, which clearly represents RNT (Bell et al., 2022). I picked this behavior as I am the one who
possesses negative thinking. Owing to this behavior, I suffer from different emotional and
psychological stresses. Furthermore, I panic even in slightly tricky situations and always think
about them. Sometimes I believe my negative thinking drives me crazy because of the constant
thought of failure. Based on such negative repercussions of negative thinking, I analyzed that
behavior modification through different interventional strategies is the best way to escape such a
situation and live a peaceful life.
Additionally, my negative thinking behavior is observable and can be measured easily
because I lack control over my cognitive activities. The research conducted by Zetsche et al.
(2018) demonstrated that individuals possessing repetitive negative thinking behavior are at an
increased risk of poorly controlling and managing their psychological functions. Behavior
modification is essential for resolving the problem of repetitive negative thinking as this strategy
focuses on the procedures that aim to alter behavior instead of individuals' personalities or traits
(Miltenberger, 2015). After thoroughly analyzing different studies and treatments, I believe
psychological treatment is a powerful behavioral modification strategy. The negative thinking
behavior is modified through psychological treatments, ultimately decreasing the clinical
presentations of depression and anxiety. Thus, I have undergone psychological treatments and
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noticed a significant change in my thinking patterns. Moreover, after several psychological
treatment sessions, I have observed that my negative thinking behavior is maximally reduced.
Section 1: Research on Repetitive Negative Thinking Behavior
The research work of Magson et al. (2019) illustrated that repetitive negative thinking is
the leading cause of emotional disorders. The individuals showing such behavior constantly
worry about their future, present and past experiences. Moreover, the authors revealed that RNT
is an observable and measurable behavior pattern as the researchers have used m Persistent and
Intrusive Negative Thoughts Scale to determine the thinking patterns of the affected participants
along with assessing the clinical presentations of anxiety. Through this scale, the three most
dominant characteristics of RNT, including “repetitive,” “intrusive,” and “difficult to engage
from,” were measured. Furthermore, the authors also employed Adolescent Coping Strategy
Index to analyze and evaluate the copying strategies adopted by adolescents to modify their
behavior patterns. Thus, the study's findings suggest that repetitive negative thinking is strongly
linked with the inability of individuals to resolve problems effectively (Magson et al., 2019).
Monteregge et al. (2020) concentrate on the importance of psychological treatment in
modifying the RNT behavior of the affected individuals. As per the authors, behavioral
modification through psychological treatment is vital for RNT as the treatments specifically
target the concern and contemplation of the individuals at a transdiagnostic level. The research
shows that an increased ratio of concern and rumination increases the chance of concurrent
anxiety and clinical depression (Monteregge et al., 2020). Therefore, through psychological
treatment, there are increased chances that the clinical presentations of anxiety, as well as mental
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distress of individuals with RNT, are reduced, which eventually positively impact the
individuals' overall behavior and well-being.
Roberts et al. (2021) in their study determined the impact of training as a behavioral
modification strategy to alleviate the probability of RNT. According to the study, training lowers
sensitivity to the RNT condition as a result of a stressful event. The authors utilized neutral and
negative stimuli as a part of the behavioral modification. Additionally, the research targeted the
decrease of RNT events in a group of young and physically fit people. When contrasted with
training employing a non-adaptive reference activity, it is observed that training utilizing neutral
stimuli dramatically decreased durations to dismiss unpleasant stimuli properly. Consequently,
the subjects displayed decreased vulnerability to repetitive negative thinking after proper training
about controlling their behaviors and thinking patterns (Roberts et al., 2021). Hence, it is
deduced that implementing different strategies and treatments, including training and
psychological interventions, plays a significant role in minimizing the likelihood of anxiety,
mental distress, and repetitive negative thinking.
Section 2: Research on Treatment Methods
Monteregge et al. (2020) implemented psychological and non-psychological treatments to
evaluate their impacts on RNT individuals. In the study, the author studied control and
experimental groups and used Comprehensive Meta-Analysis to contrast the implications of such
treatments on negative thinking. The psychological and non-psychological treatment methods
were implemented in the study in order to ascertain if any therapy has an impact on the level of
stress relative to the controlled situation and to evaluate whether RNT-related therapies are more
effective in reducing symptoms as compared to non-RNT focuses therapies. The study deduced
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that RNT-focused psychological treatments significantly alleviate negative thinking patterns
along with other psychological symptoms such as anxiety. Thus, I firmly believe that
psychological treatments would help me avoid repetitive negative thinking and assist in adopting
positive behavior.
Furthermore, the Token economy would also serve as a potent behavior modification
treatment method and significantly help me deal with RNT. Miltenberger (2015) also revealed
that the Token economy is a critical behavior modification strategy wherein participants within
educational or therapeutic programs are repeatedly reinforced with conditioned stimuli for their
desired behaviors. Furthermore, it is determined that a token economy is a behavioral
modification strategy wherein individuals with abnormal behaviors, including RNT, are given
tokens as incentives in return for desired behaviors; the tokens are then traded for alternative
boosters. This treatment method aims to increase the patient's positive behaviors that happen too
seldom and reduce their negative behaviors (Miltenberger, 2015). Hence, through the
implementation of token economy treatment, there are increased chances that my negative
thinking behavior will be reduced, whereas the positive behavior is escalated.
Conclusion
Thus, it is concluded that repetitive negative thinking behavior is becoming one of the
alarming concerns and is increasing the vulnerability of individuals to different psychological
disorders. RNT results in enhancing abnormal behaviors and thinking patterns. In order to reduce
the incidence of RNT, psychological treatments, including regular training sessions and token
economy, serve as the best interventional and behavioral modification strategies. These
treatments focus on rectifying the underlying causes and target different variables such as
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concern, worry, and overthinking about different aspects. Hence, it is deduced that by the timely
and appropriate execution of behavioral modification, the problem of repetitive negative thinking
can be resolved. Moreover, I will put all my efforts and consult psychologists and professionals
to provide me with such treatment for coming out of such a disturbed behavioral situation.
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References
Bell, I. H., Marx, W., Nguyen, K., Grace, S., Gleeson, J., & Alvarez-Jimenez, M. (2022). The
effect of psychological treatment on repetitive negative thinking in youth depression and
anxiety: a meta-analysis and meta-regression. , 1-11. Psychological Medicine
Magson, N. R., Rapee, R. M., Fardouly, J., Forbes, M. K., Richardson, C. E., Johnco, C. J., &
Oar, E. L. (2019). Measuring repetitive negative thinking: Development and validation of
the Persistent and Intrusive Negative Thoughts Scale (PINTS). Psychological
assessment 31, (11), 1329.
Miltenberger, R. G. (2015). Behavior modification: Principles and procedures. Cengage
Learning.
Monteregge, S., Tsagkalidou, A., Cuijpers, P., & Spinhoven, P. (2020). The effects of different
types of treatment for anxiety on repetitive negative thinking: A meta‐analysis. Clinical
Psychology: Science and Practice, 27(2), e12316.
Roberts, H., Mostazir, M., Moberly, N. J., Watkins, E. R., & Adlam, A. L. (2021). Working
memory updating training reduces state repetitive negative thinking: Proof-of-concept for
a novel cognitive control training. , , 103871. Behaviour Research and Therapy 142
Zetsche, U., Bürkner, P. C., & Schulze, L. (2018). Shedding light on the association between
repetitive negative thinking and deficits in cognitive control A meta-analysis. –Clinical
Psychology Review, 63, 56-65.
