Behavioral Therapy

Theory

1. Behaviors are acquired primarily and necessarily through learning and conditioning as a result of reinforcement.
2. Maladaptive behaviors are not necessarily the result of underlying pathology.
3. Maladaptive behaviors are the psychological pathology.
4. Behaviors can be unlearned.
5. Through a scientific process adaptive behaviors can replace old maladaptive behaviors.

Treatment Goals

1. The goal is to change dysfunctional and maladaptive behaviors.
2. To learn and use scientific approaches to change behaviors.

Methods

1. Classical conditioning.
2. Operant Conditioning.
3. Positive Reinforcement.
4. Negative Reinforcement.
5. Positive Punishment.
6. Negative Punishment.
7. Classical and Operant Extinction.
8. Social Learning.

Techniques

1. Counter-Conditioning.
2. Systematic Desensitization.
3. Anxiety Hierarchy Construction.

Theorists

1. John Watson
2. Ivan Pavlov
3. B. F. Skinner
4. Joseph Wolpe