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Albert Bandura
Albert Bandura is credited with the development of social learning theory. The goal of Social learning therapy is to help clients to strengthen their capacity for self regulation and change behavior by extinguishing maladaptive behaviors and learning new ones (Seligman and Reichenberg, 2014).
Basic Principles
Bandura believed that learning occurs through observation and Modeling. Behavior, cognitions and environment all contribute to the human experience. Modeling is learning through observing the behavior of others
Reciprocal Determinism- behaviors influence the environment.
Behavior Therapy can be used to treat a wide variety of problems such as alcohol and drug usage, bad habits, concentration problem, fears, sleep problems, and undesirable behaviors in children
Reciprocal Determinism- behaviors influence the environment.
Behavior Therapy can be used to treat a wide variety of problems such as alcohol and drug usage, bad habits, concentration problem, fears, sleep problems, and undesirable behaviors in children
Techniques and Interventions
There are a great deal of strategies that can be used in behavioral therapy.
Acting as if- empowering technique that challenges clients to act as if they are capable of handling a problem
Activity scheduling- using a schedule to promote focus and direction and create a sense of accomplishment when completed.
Aversion Therapy-linking undesirable behaviors with negative experiences example: Antabuse for alcohol abuse and timeouts in
children
Behavioral Rehearsal-practicing of a challenging task, also helps to improve social skills my practice more effective behaviors.
Biofeedback- use of instruments to monitor bodily functions to give clients feedback. It helps to reduce tensions and anxiety and
promotes relaxation by helping clients recognize when the body is becoming stressed and how to change the associated
behavior.
Contracting- client and clinician establish clear treatment goals
Diaphragmatic Breathing- taking slow deep breaths to promote a calming state
Exposure- repeated contact with an avoided stimulus to lessen the fear over time
Expressive and Creative activities- art, dance, music and other specialized therapy to introduce self-expression
Extinction- removing the payoff of the undesirable behavior example: Ignoring a child in class who is not acting appropriately an
not giving attention.
Flooding-exposing client to high doses of the fear stimulus. This must be done carefully and appropriately and the client must be
fully informed and aware of the procedure. Example: exposing a client who is afraid of water to the deep end of a swimming
pool.
Modeling- watching and demonstration target behaviors to copy desired behavior. Example peer modeling: A student with
desirable behavior, acts as a role model for other students.
Natural Consequences- logical outcomes of behavior. Example: A student that does not bring in their library book does not get to
choose another book during library.
Reinforcements- offering rewards for desirable behavior
Relaxation- to reduce stress and encourage relaxation to allow behavior changes.
Shaping- a gradual change in behavior, rewarding small changes and steps toward the desired behavior.
Skill training-teaching of general skills (communication, problem-solving, assertiveness, decision making etc.)
Token Economies- reward system for following established behavioral rules. This involves distributing a "token" when the student
is observed following the established guidelines. When the established number of tokens is achieved the student receives a
reward or a preferred activity.
(Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014)
Acting as if- empowering technique that challenges clients to act as if they are capable of handling a problem
Activity scheduling- using a schedule to promote focus and direction and create a sense of accomplishment when completed.
Aversion Therapy-linking undesirable behaviors with negative experiences example: Antabuse for alcohol abuse and timeouts in
children
Behavioral Rehearsal-practicing of a challenging task, also helps to improve social skills my practice more effective behaviors.
Biofeedback- use of instruments to monitor bodily functions to give clients feedback. It helps to reduce tensions and anxiety and
promotes relaxation by helping clients recognize when the body is becoming stressed and how to change the associated
behavior.
Contracting- client and clinician establish clear treatment goals
Diaphragmatic Breathing- taking slow deep breaths to promote a calming state
Exposure- repeated contact with an avoided stimulus to lessen the fear over time
Expressive and Creative activities- art, dance, music and other specialized therapy to introduce self-expression
Extinction- removing the payoff of the undesirable behavior example: Ignoring a child in class who is not acting appropriately an
not giving attention.
Flooding-exposing client to high doses of the fear stimulus. This must be done carefully and appropriately and the client must be
fully informed and aware of the procedure. Example: exposing a client who is afraid of water to the deep end of a swimming
pool.
Modeling- watching and demonstration target behaviors to copy desired behavior. Example peer modeling: A student with
desirable behavior, acts as a role model for other students.
Natural Consequences- logical outcomes of behavior. Example: A student that does not bring in their library book does not get to
choose another book during library.
Reinforcements- offering rewards for desirable behavior
Relaxation- to reduce stress and encourage relaxation to allow behavior changes.
Shaping- a gradual change in behavior, rewarding small changes and steps toward the desired behavior.
Skill training-teaching of general skills (communication, problem-solving, assertiveness, decision making etc.)
Token Economies- reward system for following established behavioral rules. This involves distributing a "token" when the student
is observed following the established guidelines. When the established number of tokens is achieved the student receives a
reward or a preferred activity.
(Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014)
Goal Setting
Behavioral models develop plans to change behavior. This is accomplished by a set of steps.
Step 1- describing the problem behavior and understand the context of the unwanted behavior
Step 2- baseline data collection to establish frequency and severity of the behavior
Step 3- establishing a SMART goal for changing the behavior. (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, time-specific)
Step 4- developing strategies that can help in achieving the goal, intervention strategies identified in this step
Step 5- implementing and recording the strategies used
Step 6- assessing the functioning- reviewing the progress or lack of progress and recognizing efforts
Step 7- reinforcing gains- the client rewards self for success
Step 8- continuing the process- re-evaluating, revising, and setting new objectives or solidifying gains to prevent relapse.
Step 1- describing the problem behavior and understand the context of the unwanted behavior
Step 2- baseline data collection to establish frequency and severity of the behavior
Step 3- establishing a SMART goal for changing the behavior. (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, time-specific)
Step 4- developing strategies that can help in achieving the goal, intervention strategies identified in this step
Step 5- implementing and recording the strategies used
Step 6- assessing the functioning- reviewing the progress or lack of progress and recognizing efforts
Step 7- reinforcing gains- the client rewards self for success
Step 8- continuing the process- re-evaluating, revising, and setting new objectives or solidifying gains to prevent relapse.