Behavioral Therapy Vs. Psychodynamic Approach

Behavioural model understands mental dysfunction. Its understood that most behavioural happenings are picked up on by watching others. Therapy aims to reverse this, it is best used on phobias

Psychology by definition from the Oxford dictionary is the ‘scientific study of the human mind and its functions’, or in simpler terms ‘the mental characteristics or attitude of an individual’. This subject focuses on the mentality and behavioral aspects of humans, assessing the behavioral patterns occurring within the mind, and questioning how it controls certain parts of our bodily system. In the broad topic of psychology, the numerous aspects of it each have a distinct difference to one another. For example, the cognitive approach to behaviorism refers to the human behavior, and the primary focus is how humans think, and how thought processes impact on the way we behave. Psychology, as a thorough analysis on the human mind, strives to investigate and interpret the way of our minds, how they are influenced and why certain things (for example the environment) affect our thought processes in different situations. Behaviorism is mainly concerned with the side of behavior that is able to be observed, rather than the internal/mental side of it. Behaviorism has its advantages, as it is an easily observable occurrence making it simpler to define, measure and examine major changes of an individual. As years pass and psychology evolves, more and more theories are being founded and even more therapy-related/experiments are being invented, improved and tested professionally. For almost every established mental problem, there is an option as a solution. Some experts in the field of

Behavior Modification, a psychological theory of human behavior. It evolved from the application of experimentally derived principles of learning to the modification of problem behaviors. The theory is based on a psychological model of human behavior that rejects the psychoanalytic or quasi-disease model of mental illness. Approaches to behavior modification assume that abnormal behavior is acquired and maintained in the same manner as normal behavior and can be changed directly through the application of social-learning principles. Assessment procedures focus on describing how an individual behaves, thinks, and feels in specific situations. Treatment methods are derived from the theories and findings of

Behavioural therapy looks at the way people act and respond when they are distressed or under pressure. It helps to modify unhelpful behaviours such as avoidance, which may exacerbate the problems or the way the client feels. This usually means gradually facing up to feared and avoided situations e.g. Demi’s self-harm and bulimia. As a consequence, new behaviours to deal with problems and situations are learned.

Behavioral Therapy focuses on the behavior of the client. Behavioral therapy helps the client treat the bad behavior to a good behavior. Students are usually refer to counseling because of their bad behavioral. Using behavioral therapy with students is another approach I can apply when providing counseling. Behavioral therapy is also a good theory to work with teenagers because the theory will focus on the client bad behavior and leads them to a good behavior. Behavioral therapy can also be used as a short term and have positive

Its application to the treatment of mental problems is known as behaviour modification. Learning is seen as behaviour change moulded by experience; it is accomplished largely through either classical or operant conditioning.

The key concepts of behavior therapy are that it “is grounded on a scientific view of human behavior that accommodates a systematic and structured approach to counseling” (Corey, 2013, p. 250). The attention is focused on the behavior of the person. Behavior therapy is about giving control to the client to expand their freedom. “People have the capacity to choose how they will respond to external events in their environment” (Corey, 2013, p. 250).

Human behaviour is a complex issue concerned with observable traits such as observable physical actions and social interactions, but also internal processes. Such as, the mental cognitions and emotions one may experience as a result of a particular condition. Behaviour is usually associated with ‘the way in which one acts or conducts oneself, in response to a particular situation or stimulus’, (Oxford English Dictionary, 2016). Behaviourism therefore, is ‘the theory that behaviour can be explained in terms of conditioning, and that psychological disorders are best treated by altering behaviour patterns’, (Oxford English Dictionary, 2016). An example of attempting to alter a behaviour pattern could be Ellis’ ABC theory. This was instigated as a form of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (McLeod, 2008). Whereby, the ‘Activating Event’, which was thought to trigger an irrational behaviour, was identified. The patients ‘Beliefs’ were then noted, and finally the

Behavioral modification is based off of B.F Skinner’s operant conditioning. Behavior modification is a term used to demonstrate a behavioral change, whether to increase or decrease the frequency of a particular behavior. This technique can be used to alter a behavior by using; positive and negative reinforcements, and continuous and partial/intermittent reinforcements. Behavioral modification is important because we can learn to do more of what works, and less of what doesn't.

Applications of behaviorism began in 1950s, but behaviorism was already influential in the 1920s. There are two main assumptions. The first is that behavior is a product of learning. The second is what has been learned can be unlearned. Behavior therapy seems like a very efficient therapy compared to insight therapy. For example, Coon describes a situation in which a client named Jay who only wanted to break his shoplifting habits. Instead of going back into his past, the therapist simply applied techniques to correct his behavior. Some of these techniques include aversion therapy, desensitization, token economics, and other techniques. Desensitization is when a therapist reduces a clients’ anxiety responses through counter conditioning. It was devised by Joseph Wolpe and consists of 3 steps. The therapist trains clients in deep muscle relaxation, and client tries to work through hierarchy, learning to remain relaxed while imagining each

Behavior therapy uses principles of learning to increase the frequency of desired behaviors and decrease the frequency of problem behaviors (Desmarais, Gerrig, Ivanco, Zimbardo, 2012). Different forms of behavior therapy include counterconditioning, contingency management, and social learning theory (Desmarais, et al, 2012). In counterconditioning a new response is conditioned to replace a maladaptive response (Desmarais, et al, 2012). Counter- conditioning techniques include exposure therapy and systemic desensitization, where individuals confront the anxiety precipitating cause (Desmarais, et al, 2012). Joseph Wolpe noted that the nervous system cannot be relaxed and agitated at the same time. He taught his patients relaxation techniques

Behavioral theorist believe that environmental forces determine the trajectories of our lives as we come into contact with, and are influenced by, one environmental factor after another (Cervone & Pervin, 2013). Wherein, the overarching goal of behavior therapies is to help clients develop flexible behavioral repertoires that are sensitive to environmental contingencies and are maximally effective for the individual (Vandenbos, Meidenbauer & Frank-McNeil, 2014). Behavioral theorists also agree that classical (Pavlovian) conditioning is applicable to a wide variety of behaviors, and clinical examples include the development and treatment of phobias and anxiety. Whereas, the concept of operant (Skinnerian) conditioning explains why people with

The basic principle of the behavior therapy states that most unhealthy, mal-adaptive patterns represent the responses from the prior experience, which had been implemented as a conditional reflexes. Therefore, the treatment consists of re-learning, and the conditioned response is replaced by a healthy adaptive pattern. The therapy techniques commonly include flooding and desensitization.

Behaviorism has been credited with providing clear predictions that can be scientifically tested and yield explanations that can be supported by evidence. For instance, in the application of Applied Behavioral Analysis in improving clients’ behaviors, the functions of individuals problematic behaviors can be evaluated and modified using behavior change principles including reinforcement. Similarly, behaviorism emphasizes the objective measurement of behaviors through providing clear and conceptual definitions, and its therapy is applicable to real life situations as in the case of anxiety. Conversely, studies incorporated into behaviorism allow for appropriate comparisons between animals and humans as in the Case of Watson’s, Thorndike’s and Pavlov’s studies respectively.

The behaviorist theory- states that everything we do is a behavior. Pleasant experiences are positive re-enforcers while unpleasant experiences are negative re-enforcers. A lack of reinforcement can also shape behavior. The best way to treat psychological disorders according to the behaviorist theory is by altering the behavior or modifying the environment. Altering the bullies behaviors would help get rid of bullying behavior in schools. The other way to help with bullying would be to change the environment in schools.