Chapter 1. Classical Conditioning in Behavior Therapies

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Scientific American: Psychology
Infographic Activity 14.2: Classical Conditioning in Behavior Therapies

Classical Conditioning in Behavior Therapies

Behavior therapists believe that most behaviors—either desirable or undesirable—are learned. When a behavior is maladaptive, a new, more adaptive behavior can be learned to replace it. Behavior therapists use learning principles to help clients eliminate unwanted behaviors. The two behavior therapies highlighted here rely upon classical conditioning techniques. In exposure therapy, a therapist might use an approach known as systematic desensitization to reduce an unwanted response, such as a fear of needles, by pairing it with relaxation. In aversion therapy, an unwanted behavior such as excessive drinking is paired with unpleasant reactions, creating an association that prompts avoidance of that behavior.

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1.1 Quiz

1. In order to help her stop “whining” all of the time, Raina puts a loosely-fitting rubber band around her daughter’s wrist. When her daughter whines more than once, Raina takes her wrist and gently “snaps” the rubber band one time. She does not do it enough to cause severe pain, but just enough to make it uncomfortable. Her goal is to have the little girl associate whining with a little discomfort in her wrist, and therefore to have the whining stop happening as much. Which form of therapy is Raina using?

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2. Which of the following is a main foundation of behavior therapy?

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3. While attending psychotherapy, Irene’s therapy suggests that her problem would be best addressed by using a technique called systematic desensitization? With which problem is Irene problem struggling?

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4. From a behavioral model, a person who suffers from an unusual amount of anxiety related to a specific trigger (a stimulus like a person, object, or situation) would benefit by coming face-to-face with the thing that causes this reaction. This helps them to break through the avoidance they may usually use. What form of therapy is this?

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5. Avery’s wife has grown tired of his misuse of alcohol, so she encourages him to take a medication that will cause him to get physically ill whenever he drinks. Her hope is that when he associates the drinking with stomach pains he will decide to reduce or even completely stop his use of alcohol. Which concept is involved in this form of therapy?

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