Behavior Therapy

Behavior therapy has made remarkable headway since its inception in the early 20th century. Emerging in a time when psychotherapy was dominated by Freudian psychanalysis, behavior therapy flourished in spite of harsh scrutiny and opposition. Behavior therapy’s themes and characteristics were regarded as deviate and starkly different from the psychoanalytic model. Although techniques now used in behavior therapy have been used throughout history, (i.e., such as intentionally soiling drinks to induce taste aversion on alcoholics) behavior therapy as it is known now has existed for about 60 years. Beginning with Ivan Pavlov’s landmark study that discovered classical conditioning, Johns Hopkins University’s John B. Watson then took classical conditioning
A scientific approach to therapy is required in behavior therapy. The scientific approach encompasses objectivity, specific goals, and measurable differences. In other words, progress is quantified using empirically validated measures to ensure specific treatment goals are being met. This approach also allows psychotherapists to objectively and quickly acknowledge when patients are not responding to treatment so that treatment plans can be adjusted accordingly. Behavior therapy is an action therapy. This means that patients are to engage in prescribed actions that are provided and taught to the patient by the psychotherapist. Behavior therapy deviated from psychoanalytic model in this way; talk therapy served to provide insight to the patient, but insight alone has been found to not be enough to treat pathology. Behavior therapy is present focused. In other words, behavior therapy deals with issues as they arise in the present, while neglecting to become concerned with past events or traumas. This is another way that Behavioral therapy deviates from the psychanalytic model. Behavioral therapy is learning focused. With its theory grounded in classical and operant conditioning, behavior therapists believe that the development, maintenance, and changes in behavior are all done through
Several common forms of behavior therapy are briefly discussed: Cognitive restructuring works to replace the patients self-defeating thoughts with positive or encouraging thoughts. For example, a person that has trouble answering questions in class because of constant thoughts of inadequate intelligence uses cognitive restructuring to replace those negative thoughts with thoughts that motivate him to participate in the lesion (e.g., “I have studied this material; I know the material as well as my classmates”). Positive reinforcement is used to reinforce a desired behavior by reinforcing it with a motivating item or privilege. For example, if a boss gives weekly bonuses to every employee that meets a specified quota, then the positive reinforcement of the bonus will reinforce meeting the quota. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)could be used to distance oneself from their self-deprecating thoughts by accepting and defusing the them. For example, a man has been in constant fear of losing his job since last month when he heard that the company he works for is downsizing. The man can use ACT to understand that his thoughts are just thought so that he can distance himself from the thoughts instead of identifying with them. There are many other established forms of behavior therapy. Also, new and emerging behavior therapies are continuing to be