1. Review outline in notes
Behavior Therapy
Review outline in notes
1. Is age-inappropriate
A. A behavior is considered to be maladaptive when it:
I. Introduction
B. The behavioral approach to therapy is that people have become what they
3. Is misunderstood by others in terms of cultural inappropriateness.
2. Interferes with adaptive functioning
environment with their genetic endowment.
are through learning processes, or through the interaction of the
provision of appropriate learning experiences.
been inadequate learning, and therefore can be corrected through the
C. The basic assumption is that problematic behaviors occur when there has
A. Introduced by Russian physiologist Pavlov in his experiments with dogs.
II. Classical Conditioning
C. He soon learned that dogs salivated when food came into view (conditioned
(unconditioned response).
B. Pavlov related that the dogs salivated when presented with food
of food.
D. He introduced an unrelated stimulus (the sound of a bell) with presentation
response).
F. When a similar response is elicited from similar stimuli, it is called stimulus
sound of the bell alone (conditioned stimulus).
E. He learned that the dogs soon began salivating (conditioned response) at the
III. Operant Conditioning
generalization.
strengthened or weakened by the consequences of the response.
B. Basic assumption: That the connection between a stimulus and a response is
A. Introduced by American psychologist B.F. Skinner.
will recur, it is called a positive reinforcer.
D. When the reinforcing stimulus increases the probability that the behavior
C. A stimulus that follows a behavior (or response) is called a reinforcer.
negative reinforcer.
recur by removal of an undesirable reinforcing stimulus, it is called a
E. When the reinforcing stimulus increases the probability that a behavior will
that the behavior will recur is called an aversive stimulus or punisher.
F. A stimulus that follows a behavioral response and decreases the probability
increasingly closer approximations to the desired response.
A. Shaping. In shaping the behavior of another, reinforcements are given for
IV. Techniques for Modifying Client Behavior
C. Premack Principle. This principle states that a frequently occurring response
behavior of others.
B. Modeling. Modeling refers to the learning of new behaviors by imitating the
response when the positive reinforcement is withheld.
D. Extinction. The gradual decrease in frequency or disappearance of a
can serve as a positive reinforcement for a response.
Positive and negative reinforcers for performing the desired behaviors, as
E. Contingency Contracting. A contract for behavioral change is developed.
F. Token Economy. A type of contingency contracting in which the reinforcers
contract.
well as aversive reinforcers for failure to perform, are stated explicitly in the
then be exchanged for designated privileges.
for desired behaviors are presented in the form of tokens. The tokens may
exhibited. The client is usually isolated so that reinforcement from the
removed from the environment where the unacceptable behavior is being
G. Time Out. An aversive stimulus or punishment during which the client is
H. Reciprocal Inhibition. Also called counterconditioning, this technique serves
attention of others is absent.
I. Overt Sensitization. An aversion therapy that produces unpleasant
but one that is incompatible with the unacceptable behavior.
to decrease or eliminate a behavior by introducing a more adaptive behavior,
imagination to produce unpleasant symptoms as consequences for
J. Covert Sensitization. This aversion technique relies on the individual’s
consequences for undesirable behavior.
their fear of a phobic stimulus. A systematic hierarchy of events associated
K. Systematic Desensitization. A technique to assist individuals to overcome
undesirable behavior.
L. Flooding. Sometimes called implosive therapy, this technique is used to
with the phobic stimulus is used to gradually desensitize the individual.
producing stimuli, the individual is “flooded” with a continuous presentation
desensitization in that, instead of working through a hierarchy of anxiety
desensitize individuals to a phobic stimulus. It differs from systematic
A. The nursing process is the vehicle for delivery of nursing care with clients
V. Role of the Nurse in Behavior Therapy
of the phobic stimulus until it no longer elicits anxiety.
inappropriateness is conducted.
B. Assessment of behaviors that are unacceptable for age and cultural
requiring assistance with behavior modification.
D. A plan for behavior modification is devised utilizing techniques thought to
C. Nursing diagnoses are formulated and outcome criteria are established.
from the client and various members of the treatment team.
alone, the physician alone, the nurse and physician together, or with input
be most appropriate for the client. The plan may be devised by the nurse
implementation to be successful.
modification plan. Consistency among all staff is required for
E. All members of the treatment team must be made aware of the behavior
F. Evaluation of care is based upon achievement of the outcome criteria.

2. Introduction A behavior is considered to be maladaptive when it
Is age-inappropriate
Interferes with adaptive functioning
Is misunderstood by others in terms of cultural inappropriateness
The behavioral approach to therapy is that people have become what they are through learning processes or through the interaction of the environment with their genetic endowment.
The basic assumption is that problematic behaviors occur
when there has been inadequate learning and therefore can be
corrected through the provision of appropriate learning experiences.

3. Techniques for Modifying Client Behavior
Shaping. In shaping the behavior of another, reinforcements are given for increasingly closer approximations to the desired response.
Modeling. Modeling refers to the learning of new behaviors by imitating the behavior of others.
Premack principle. This principle states that a frequently occurring response can serve as a positive reinforcement for a response that occurs less frequently.
Extinction. The gradual decrease in frequency or disappearance of a response when the positive reinforcement is withheld.

4. Techniques for Modifying Client Behavior
Time out. An aversive stimulus or punishment whereby the client is removed from the environment where the unacceptable behavior is being exhibited; the client is usually isolated so that reinforcement from the attention of others is absent
Reciprocal inhibition. Also called counterconditioning, this technique serves to decrease or eliminate a behavior by introducing a more adaptive behavior, but one that is incompatible with the unacceptable behavior.

5. Overt sensitization. An aversion therapy that produces unpleasant consequences for undesirable
behavior
Covert sensitization. Mental imagery of an aversive stimulus to divert an individual from an undesirable behavior.
Systematic desensitization. A technique to assist an individual to overcome fear of a phobic stimulus;
a systematic hierarchy of events associated with the phobic stimulus is used to gradually desensitize the individual

6. Flooding. Sometimes called implosive therapy, this technique is used to desensitize an individual to a phobic stimulus. It differs from systematic desensitization in that, instead of working through a hierarchy of anxiety-producing stimuli, the individual is “flooded”
with a continuous presentation of the phobic stimulus until it no longer elicits anxiety.