1. Techniques for modifying behaviour
Psychology ATAR Unit 3

2. Modifying behaviour Token economies Systematic desensitisation
Pages
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
Pages
Reinforcement and punishment
Pages

3. Token economies
Artificial systems that reward and reinforce target (specific) behaviour
Involves symbolic tokens such as fake money
These can be traded in for a secondary reward
Tokens cannot be taken away as a punishment
A certain number of tokens must be accumulated before a trade in
Examples
Class behaviour management technique
Prison systems to improve behaviour
Fly Buys, loyalty programs, casino chips

4. Token economies Advantages
Person doesn’t become ‘full’ or had enough of the reinforcement because there is a secondary reward(s)
Disadvantages
Behaviour may not be maintained in the outside environment

5. Systematic desensitisation
Application of classical conditioning to fears and phobias
Aim is to replace the fear with a more appropriate response
Must identify:
The extent of the phobia (eg. all spiders, small spiders …)
The reason for the phobia (eg. childhood event/fear)
How much it is interfering with daily living (eg. can’t do housework, leads to anxiety attacks)

6. Systematic desensitisation
Graded exposure
Making a list of the most fear-provoking situation to the least fear-provoking situation
Gradual introduction of these situations, from the least fearful to the most fearful

7. Systematic desensitisation
Steps
Relaxation techniques
Exposure to least frightening situation
Repeated until person is able to relax when exposed to the most frightening situation

8. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
CBT is used to modify a person’s dysfunctional thoughts (cognitions), feelings or behaviour
Based on helping a person understand and manage their thought and behaviour patterns
Mental illness
Helps with managing anxiety, depression and schizophrenia in conjunction with medication
CBT + medication is a more successful management strategy for mental illness than medication alone
It has been shown to reduce relapses

9. Treating depression with CBT
Identifies and changes negative thinking associated with depressed feelings
View situations from another angle / perspective
Helps to focus on the positive things
Increase the fun in life to help overcome the depressive cycle
Helps to manage problems
Gives strategies to manage problems specific to the situation