Behavioral Theory Flashcards

Questions and Answers

According to behavioral theories, personality is a result of what?

Interactions between the individual and the environment.

What do behavioral theorists study and what do they reject?

Environmental conditions; Internal thoughts

Observable and measurable behaviors; Internal thoughts and feelings (correct)

Personality traits; Observable behaviors

Internal thoughts and feelings; Observable behaviors

How do behavioral theorists change feelings?

By changing behaviors, which in turn changes feelings.

What is observable behavior?

A target symptom, a problem behavior, or an environmental condition. Signup and view all the answers

What is respondent behavior?

Involuntary behavior automatically elicited by certain stimuli. Signup and view all the answers

What is operant behavior?

Voluntary behavior controlled by its consequences. Signup and view all the answers

What are common applications of behavior modification therapies?

Sexual dysfunction, phobic disorders, compulsive behaviors, and training of persons with intellectual disabilities. Signup and view all the answers

How do social workers monitor behaviors when clients are not under 24-hour inpatient care?

They train clients to observe and monitor their own behaviors. Signup and view all the answers

Who is associated with respondent/classical conditioning?

Pavlov. Signup and view all the answers

Who is associated with operant conditioning?

B.F. Skinner. Signup and view all the answers

What are the techniques involved in operant conditioning?

Positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, positive punishment, and negative punishment Signup and view all the answers

What is aversion therapy?

A treatment aimed at reducing the attractiveness of a stimulus by pairing it with an aversive stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What is biofeedback?

A behavior training program to control physiological functions. Signup and view all the answers

What is extinction in behavioral terms?

Withholding a reinforcer that normally follows a behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What is flooding?

A treatment protocol where anxiety is extinguished by prolonged exposure to feared stimuli. Signup and view all the answers

What does in vivo desensitization involve?

Pairing and movement through an anxiety hierarchy from least to most provoking situations. Signup and view all the answers

What is modeling in behavioral therapy?

An instructional method where a model demonstrates the behavior to be acquired. Signup and view all the answers

What is rational emotive therapy (RET)?

A therapy aiming to change irrational beliefs through argument and persuasion. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Behavioral Theory Overview

Personality is shaped by interactions between the individual and their environment.
Behavioral theorists prioritize observable and measurable actions, discarding internal thoughts and feelings.

Behavioral Change Mechanisms

Feelings are influenced by behaviors; altering behaviors can modify or eliminate negative feelings.
Treatment focuses on behavior modification to achieve desired emotional outcomes.

Types of Observable Behavior

Observable behaviors include target symptoms or problematic actions, categorized into respondent and operant behaviors.

Respondent and Operant Behaviors

Respondent Behavior: Involuntary reactions (e.g., anxiety, sexual responses) automatically triggered by a specific stimulus.
Operant Behavior: Voluntary actions (e.g., walking, talking) guided by their consequences in the environment.

Applications of Behavior Modification

Common interventions address sexual dysfunctions, phobic disorders, compulsive behaviors (like overeating or smoking), and support for individuals with intellectual disabilities or Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Monitoring Client Behavior

Social workers encourage clients to self-monitor behaviors, a method that is cost-effective and supportive, yet may yield inaccurate data or resistance from clients.

Classical Conditioning

Developed by Pavlov, involves creating associations between a neutral stimulus and an unconditioned stimulus, leading to conditioned responses.

Operant Conditioning

B.F. Skinner's framework: emphasizes the role of antecedents (preceding stimuli) leading to behaviors, which have reinforcing or punishing consequences.
Reinforcement increases behavior, while punishment decreases it.

Techniques in Operant Conditioning

Positive Reinforcement: Rewards that increase behavior frequency (e.g., praise, tokens).
Negative Reinforcement: Increased behavior due to the removal of an unpleasant stimulus (e.g., ending discomfort).
Positive Punishment: Introduction of an aversive consequence to reduce behavior (e.g., hitting).
Negative Punishment: Removing a valued stimulus to decrease behavior (e.g., taking away a reward).

Aversion Therapy

Treatment that reduces the appeal of a behavior by pairing it with an aversive stimulus, such as using Antabuse for alcoholism.

Biofeedback

A training program that helps individuals control physiological functions (e.g., heart rate, blood pressure), useful for ADHD and anxiety disorders.

Extinction in Behavioral Theory

The process of ceasing reinforcement for a behavior, leading to eventual reduction or termination of that behavior.

Flooding Technique

A method for reducing anxiety through prolonged exposure to feared stimuli, whether real or imagined.

In Vivo Desensitization

Gradual exposure to anxiety-inducing situations in a real-world context, progressing from least to most alarming.

Modeling Technique

Instructional method where a model demonstrates desired behaviors for clients to emulate.

Rational Emotive Therapy (RET)

A therapy focused on changing irrational beliefs through logic and rational discussion to encourage healthier thought patterns.

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Description

Test your understanding of behavioral theories with these flashcards. Explore key concepts, definitions, and the differences behavioral theorists have with other psychological approaches. Perfect for students studying psychology.