1. Biographical data of theorist: Notable theorists in behavior therapy include: Pavlov, Skinner, Wolpe, and Bandura.
• Pavlov influential events: studying theology, studying physiology in dogs, and experiencing the Russian Revolution.
• Wolpe influential events: Serving as a doctor in the South African army during World War II. During the war he worked with soldiers with post-traumatic stress disorder. This influenced his theory of systematic desensitization.
• B.F. Skinner influential events: Skinner wanted to become a writer before studying psychology, Skinner was hired to train pigeons during World War II as bomb guides.
• Albert Bandura influential events: Bandura was the youngest and only boy of six children he was
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Assessments: Assessment of a behavior is of the upmost importance in behavior therapy. A functional behavior assessment is one of the most common assessment utilized. The therapist needs to operationally define the behavior through observation, or self-reports (not recommended) to assess what is motivating the behavior (positive reinforcement or avoidance). The therapist may also assess the frequency, duration, and severity of the behavior. Self-report questioners of internal events may also be utilized (although not changed through an FBA).
4. Definitions and conditions for mental health: Conditions vary depending on the setting and theoretical orientation of the behavior therapist. A strict behaviorist may contend that an individual is mentally healthy when they engage in behaviors that are no longer creating distress or are maladaptive. A therapist who utilizes CBT may contended an individual is healthy when they no longer have distorted thoughts and accompanying behavior that are distressing. A school psychologist using behavior therapy may consider a child mentally healthy when they no longer engage in destructive externalizing
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Goals of therapy: The goals vary depending on setting and theoretical orientation. A radical behaviorist has the goals of increasing a desired behavior and decreasing an undesired behavior (typically the goal in a school setting). Goals of social-cognitive theory include changing distorted cognitions and undesired or maladaptive behaviors.
8. Empirical Evidence: Behavior therapy from its foundation, measures observable events utilizing empirical and qualitative studies. A study conducted by Ehlers et al (2004) found that Ethler’s and Clark’s CBT model for treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder significantly decreased (p<.0005 on all measures) an experimental groups PTSD symptoms when compared to a control group.
9. Strengths and limitations: Behavior therapists are concerned with observable behaviors regardless of race, ethnicity, and SES. One limitations I have seen in the schools is that non dominant cultures in the United States may be accepting of behaviors that may be seen as inappropriate in the United States. A school psychologist may be brought in to change these behaviors even though they are not maladaptive in the culture of
In Chapter 4, In the Unlikely Event of a Water Landing, the author Lauren Slater starts the chapter off telling the true story of how a young woman, Kitty Genovese, was brutally murdered and raped outside of her apartment complex. What was most shocking in the aftermath is there were a total of 38 witnesses and not a single person did anything to help her. This raised many concerns as to why the witnesses did nothing. When they were being interviewed by the cops, they stated that they just did not want to get involved(p.94), thus “diffusing responsibility”, this is a term used by two psychologists John Darley and Bibb Latane, who were very concerned with and wanted to understand why nothing was done to aid young Kitty Genovese as she was being stabbed and raped.
B.F. Skinner’s Walden Two is the fictitious account of an eclectic group’s visit to a modern utopian community started by psychologist T.E. Frazier. Authors often depict “perfect societies” in novels, as the subject holds wide appeal and great creative opportunity. Aldous Huxley envisioned a Brave New World; Lois Lowry wove the tale of The Giver. What sets Walden Two apart from such books? Simply stated, Skinner’s work truly does not seem as if it belongs in the fantasy or fiction genre, as the others do. The novel reads as an actual experiment, albeit one performed in a text-only version of the world. The author perfectly follows the steps of a scientific investigation throughout the plot, meeting nearly all goals of the scientific enterprise. This approach leaves readers practically incapable of brushing the novel’s bold statements off as fiction: to do so feels equivalent to denying a proven reality.
Castle closed the book deliberately and set it aside. He had purposefully waited half a decade to read Walden Two after its initial publication, because, years after parting from Frazier and his despotic utopia, he could not shake the perturbation the community inspired. But, eight years later, he had grown even more frustrated with himself at his apparent inability to look at the situation calmly. In a fit of willfulness, he had pulled the unopened volume from its top shelf, and now he was hoping that that had been a good idea. His daily temperament, to say the least, had suffered from his continual aggravation. Something had to be done about this.
Case conceptualization and treatment planning ultimately assist therapist in finding methods of therapy that will work in relations to the client’s needs. Behavior Therapy is one therapeutic approach; that is defined as a treatment that helps improve self-destructing behaviors; desired or undesired that is to be removed or added. It additionally is used to interchange dangerous habits with smart ones. It helps the client to deal with tough situations.
The field of psychology is a discipline, originated from many branches of science. It has applications from within a complete scope of avenues, from psychotherapy to professional decision-making. The flexibility and versatility of this field reflects its importance and demands in-depth analysis. Psychology was a division of philosophy until it developed independent scientific disciplines. The history of psychology was a scholarly study of the mind and behavior that dates back to the beginning of civilization. There are important details from previous theory psychologist, research have contributed to behaviorism approaches and have contributed towards specific current behavioral practices. Contemporary behavior therapy began to emerge into distinct practical and core learning theories concerning the needs and knowledge engaging cultural and professional differences.
Other critics are concerned with Skinner’s disapproval of Sigmund Freud, one of psychology’s founding fathers. While many of Freud’s claims are shown to be untrue, it is still unacceptable to have a lack of respect for predecessors. Even though Skinner faced some criticism regarding his work, he is still highly recognized for his ingenuity and discoveries and is the recipient of numerous honors and awards.
grew up in Europe and spent his young adult life under the direction of Freud. In 1933
Fairbank, John A.; Brown, Timothy A. “Current Behavioral Approaches to the Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.” The Behavior Therapist 10.3 (1987): 57–64. Print.
According to numerous references in the field of Psychology, a cognitive psychologist is an individual that studies topics such as thinking, problem-solving, learning, attention, memory, forgetting, and language acquisition, among several others. Cognitive psychology is the branch of psychology that studies mental processes, and its core focus is on how people acquire, process, and store information. While great research has been done within the field of psychology, there are individuals such as B.F. Skinner who criticize its strides, purposes, and research methods.
Lappalainen, R., Lehtonen, T., Skarp, E., Taubert, E., Ojanen, M., & Hayes, S. C. (2007). The impact of CBT and ACT models using psychology trainee therapists: A preliminary controlled effectiveness trial. Behavior Modification, 31, pp. 488-511.
It is inevitable that in psychotherapy there are numerous theories. Theories arise out of scholarly investigations of ideas on human behavior. Human behavior is an extraordinarily interesting subject and therefore produces a plethora of ideas from a variety of theorists. These theorists are influenced by their education, culture, and time period. One influential theorist is Carl Rogers.
Fonagy, P. (1999). Relation of theory and practice in psychodynamic therapy. Journal Of Clinical Child Psychology, 28(4), 513--520.
Therapists will use this therapy to reinforce good behaviors and extinguish bad ones. This therapy also helps patients cope with difficult situations by inducing a non-fearful state. There were several psychologists who worked with behavioral therapy: Skinner, Watson, Pavlov, etc. The idea behind Behavioral therapy is that a person can have life problems without psychoanalysis in ways that the environment reinforces a particular behavior. There are several different approaches to behavioral therapy all with different techniques. These different techniques include: biological conditioning, operant conditioning, schedules of reinforcements, and behavioral interventions. Biological conditioning (Pavlov) has the unconditioned stimulus (US), unconditioned response (UR), conditioned stimulus (CS), and conditioned response (CR). Pavlov’s dog is a good example of biological conditioning. Operant conditioning is when humans and animals start responding and the use of reinforcements can shape behavior. Schedules of reinforcement are how often the reinforcement is given. There is fixed interval, fixed ratio, variable interval, and variable ratio. Behavioral Interventions include: positive reinforcements, negative
Applying the tenets of this theory to personality, Skinner felt that our environment and society shapes who we are and the personality traits that we develop. Instead of changing our internal response...
Sigmund Freud is psychology’s most famous figure. He is also the most controversial and influential thinkers of the twentieth century. Freud’s work and theories helped to shape out views of childhood, memory, personality, sexuality, and therapy. Time Magazine referred to him as one of the most important thinkers of the last century. While his theories have been the subject of debate and controversy, his impact on culture, psychology, and therapy is cannot be denied.