PSYC DCBT Chapter 7 Chapter 7: Deceleration Behaviour Therapy

PSYC DCBT Chapter 7 Differential Reinforcement Higher incompatibility leads to more effective treatmentHigher incompatibility leads to more effective treatment 1.Of incompatible behaviours 2.Of competing behaviours 3.Of other (any) behaviours 4.Of Low Response Rates (Shaping)

PSYC DCBT Chapter 7 Differential: Other Types 5. Non-contingent reinforcement: Satiation and extinction 6. Functional communication training (Assertion): Alternating ways of conveying desire for reinforcer

PSYC DCBT Chapter 7 Consequential Deceleration Directly affecting the frequency of the target behaviourDirectly affecting the frequency of the target behaviour Or making the consequences undesirableOr making the consequences undesirable Involves reinforcement and/or punishmentInvolves reinforcement and/or punishment

PSYC DCBT Chapter 7 1. Extinction Identifying and removing reinforcersIdentifying and removing reinforcers “Time out from positive reinforcement”“Time out from positive reinforcement”Problems a.Slow working b.Extinction bursts c.Little transfer, high specificity d.High rate of spontaneous recovery

PSYC DCBT Chapter 7 Extinction: The Ferber Technique Using extinction to stop babies from cryingUsing extinction to stop babies from crying Attention from parents is a reinforcerAttention from parents is a reinforcer Uses “time out” methodUses “time out” method Ferber link:

PSYC DCBT Chapter 7 2. Response Cost Removing items or privilegesRemoving items or privileges Personal possessions, time, money Personal possessions, time, money Relatively effective technique for children and adultsRelatively effective technique for children and adults High familiarity to the “real-world”High familiarity to the “real-world”

PSYC DCBT Chapter 7 3. Overcorrection a.Restitution: making amends for damage done b.Positive (over)practice: exaggerated performance of appropriate adaptive behaviour The cost of inappropriate behaviour is exaggeratedThe cost of inappropriate behaviour is exaggerated Limited to behaviours that can be correctedLimited to behaviours that can be corrected

PSYC DCBT Chapter 7 4. Physically Aversive Consequences Use of physical punishmentUse of physical punishment Tends to work more quickly than reinforcement approachesTends to work more quickly than reinforcement approaches First response to situations where there is physical threat to self or othersFirst response to situations where there is physical threat to self or others

PSYC DCBT Chapter 7 The downside of physical punishment… 1.Avoidance (transfer) 2.Aversive emotional responses 3.Perpetuation effects In client and change agent In client and change agent 4.Short lasting effectiveness

PSYC DCBT Chapter 7 Aversion Therapy Uses classical conditioning paradigmUses classical conditioning paradigm A strong aversive stimulus is applied simultaneously to maladaptive behaviourA strong aversive stimulus is applied simultaneously to maladaptive behaviour A highly motivated client is requiredA highly motivated client is required

PSYC DCBT Chapter 7 Applying the aversive stimulus 1.Actual application 2.Symbolic exposure 3.Imagery (Covert Sensitization)

PSYC DCBT Chapter 7 Punishment: Ethical Considerations Strong cultural images of punishmentStrong cultural images of punishment Utility (short and long-term)Utility (short and long-term) Potential for abusePotential for abuse Will of the clientWill of the client