Behavioural Therapy
Behavioural Therapy
Behavioural Therapy
Subject PSYCHOLOGY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1) Learning Outcomes
2) Introduction
3) Basic assumptions of the approach
4) Role of therapist
5) Key techniques
6) Evaluation : 6.1 Strengths,
6.2 Limitations
7) Summary
1. LEARNING OUTCOMES
After studying this module, you should be able to
2. Introduction
Behaviour therapy comes under the larger rubric of action-oriented methods that help people
change the way they think and do things. These are called as action-oriented as they rely on
behaviour specific interventions and outcomes. The behavior approach has its beginnings in the
1950s and early 1960s. It started as a school of thought disagreeing and departing from the widely
popular psychoanalytic approach. Behavior therapy applied its principles of classical and operant
conditioning to the treatment of problem behaviors. Modern behaviour therapy is focused on
giving control to the clients and help increase their skills to overcome the debilitating behaviours.
The theory of behaviour therapy is based on the belief that all our values, attitudes, preferences,
emotional response, thinking patterns, personality styles, and problems are the result of learned
behaviour.
In this perspective, a maladjusted person is seen as (a) having failed to acquire appropriate coping
skills, (b) having learned faulty coping patterns which is maintained by some kind of
reinforcement, or (c) both. Human behaviour is shaped, reinforced and moulded by the world
around us. Hence a systematic and scientific approach is used to identify specific behaviours that
need to be changed , set desirable and achievable, collect data on client’s functioning levels,
design a behavior modification module, decrease client’s resistance, modify distracting variables,
monitor the impact of module and made changes if required in the treatment plan.
3. Basic Assumptions
a) It is based on principles and procedures of scientific method such as learning principles.
It states treatment goals in concrete and objective terms. The concepts and procedures are
explicitly stated, empirically tested and continually updated.
b) Behaviour therapy deals with the client’s current problems and the factors influencing
them.
c) Clients are expected to engage in specific actions to deal with their problems. They
monitor their behaviour both during and outside the therapy sessions, learn and practice
coping skills and role-play new behaviour. Thus, it is an action-oriented approach.
d) It is carried out in the client’s natural environment. It is largely educational . It teaches
clients skills of self-management. Home work assignments are integral part of behaviour
therapy.
e) Behaviour procedures are tailored to fit the unique needs of the client.
4. Role of Therapist
A behaviour therapist is active in counseling sessions. Hence, the client learns, unlearns or
relearns specific ways of behaving. Counselor functions as a consultant, teacher, adviser,
reinforcer and facilitator. He/she may instruct or supervise support people in the client’s
environment who are assisting in the change process. The therapist must also model appropriate
behvaiour as he serves as a person worthy of emulation. Hence, the therapist must be aware of
their crucial role and power they have in influencing the client’s way of thinking. Behavior
therapy demands a high level of skills and sensitivity from the client and an ability to form a
working relationship with clients.
5. Key Techniques
Extinction- The basic principle of extinction involves elimination of reinforcement for
the maladaptive behaviours. Two specific techniques that rely on the principle of
extinction are implosive therapy and flooding. Implosive therapy is an advanced
technique that involves desensitizing a client to a situation by having him/her imagine an
anxiety producing situation that may have dire consequences such that there is a massive
‘implosion’ of anxiety. The client is not taught to relax first. With repeated exposure of
stimulus in a “safe” setting, the stimulus loses its power to elicit anxiety and the neurotic
avoidance behaviour is extinguished. It is also called as in-vitro (lab/clinic setting)
desensitization. Flooding or in-vivo is less traumatic as the imagined anxiety producing
scene does not have dire consequences. It can be used for people who cannot imagine
scenes realistically. For eg a client with a phobia of heights may be taken to the terrace of
a building. Hence the client is made to realize that feared consequences do not occur. It is
a simple treatment of choice for simple phobias.
Systematic use of reinforcement- Reinforcers are those events that, when they
follow a behaviour increase the probability of the behaviour repeating. It may be positive
or negative. Reinforcers can be effectively used to elicit and maintain behaviors.
Schedules of reinforcemnt- when a behaviour is first being learned, it should be
reinforced every time it occurs i.e continuous reinforcement. After it is
established, intermittent reinforcement is given. Schedules of reinforcement
operate according to either number of responses (ratio), or the length of time
(interval) between reinforcers. Both ratio and interval are either fixed or variable.
Response shaping- A behaviour learned gradually in steps through successive
approximations is known as shaping. When clients learn new skills, counselors
may help break down behaviour into manageable units.
Token economies-sometimes intangible reinforcers are ineffective. Hence,
tangible may be used in the form of tokens that can be exchanged for desired
objects and privileges. It has been used to establish adaptive behaviours ranging
from elementary responses, such as eating and making one’s bed, to the daily
performance of responsible jobs. Tokens have the advantage such as, (a) the
number of tokens earned depends directly on the amount of desirable behaviours,
(b) tokens, like, money have value in the outer world, (c) tokens can reduce the
delay between appropriate performance and reinforcement. It has been effective
in managing behaviour of patients with chronic schizophrenia and mental
retardation.
Behavioural Contracting- Also called as contingency contracts, these contracts
spell out the behaviours to be performed, changed or discontinued in writing. The
rewards associated with the achievement of these goals and the conditions under
The approach deals directly with symptoms. Because most clients seek help for specific
problems, counselors are able to assist clients immediately.
The approach focuses on the here and now. A client does not have to examine the past to
obtain help in the present.
It is economical and saves both time and money.
The approach offers numerous techniques for counselors to use.
PSYCHOLOGY PAPER No. 15: Clinical Psychology
MODULE No.29: Behavior Therapy
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
6.2 LIMITATIONS
The approach does not deal with the total person, just the explicit behaviour. It changes
behaviour but not the feelings.
The approach is sometimes applied mechanically. The importance of the relation between
the client and the therapist is ignored.
The approach is best demonstrated under controlled conditions that may be difficult to
replicate in normal counseling situations.
The approach ignores the client’s past history and unconscious forces.
it does not provide insight. Some clients want not just to change behaviours but also
gain understanding of why they behave the way they do.
The approach does not consider developmental stages.
It treats symptoms rather than causes.
It involves control and manipulation by the therapist.
The approach programs the client towards minimum or tolerable levels of behaving,
reinforces conformity, stifles creativity and ignores client needs for self-fulfillment, self-
actualization and feeling of self-worth.
7. SUMMARY
Behaviour therapy is one of the action-oriented methods that help people change the way
they think and do things.
It started as a school of thought disagreeing and departing from the widely popular
psychoanalytic approach.
Behavior therapy applied its principles of classical and operant conditioning to the
treatment of problem behaviors. Modern behaviour therapy focuses on giving control to
the clients and help increase their skills to overcome the debilitating behaviours.
The theory of behaviour therapy is based on the belief that all our values, attitudes,
preferences, emotional response, thinking patterns, personality styles, and problems are
the result of learned behaviour.
In this perspective, a maladjusted person is seen as (a) having failed to acquire
appropriate coping skills, (b) having learned faulty coping patterns which as maintained
by some kind of reinforcement, or (c) both.
Human behaviour is shaped, reinforced and moulded by the world around us. Hence a
systematic and scientific approach is used to identify specific behaviours that need to be
changed , set desirable and achievable, collect data on client’s functioning levels, design
a behavior modification module, decrease client’s resistance, modify distracting
variables, monitor the impact of module and made changes if required in the treatment
plan.
PSYCHOLOGY PAPER No. 15: Clinical Psychology
MODULE No.29: Behavior Therapy
____________________________________________________________________________________________________