The Development of Social Learning Theory
Behavior change could occur vicariously through observation of other's behavior. Bandura termed this phenomenon modeling which can elicit both negative and positive behaviors (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014). Modeling can actually change our cognitions about our abilities and improve our self-efficacy, which impacts how a person thinks, feels, motivates himself, and behaves. The self-efficacy theories states that a person can perform a certain task based on their beliefs of how well they can perform, as well as the consequences from doing it (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014). Social cognitive theory expands on cognitive-behavioral theory by recognizing that not only reinforced behaviors or faulty thoughts that are responsible for human behavior, but a complicated cognitive mediational process that includes cognitive, affective, motivational, and selection processes (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014). Ultimately, the goal of social cognitive therapy is to assist and strength the human capacity for self-regulation. Bandura believes that maladaptive persists because there is some reward for that behavior and not because it results from sexual or aggressive impulses (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014).
Goal Setting in Behavior Therapy Planning and Implementing Behavior Change
Step 1: Describing the Behavior
Step 2: Establishing a Baseline
Step 3: Determining Goals
Step 4: Developing Strategies
Step 5: Implementing the Plan
Step 6: Assessing Progress and Evaluate the Success of the Plan
Step 7: Reinforcing Gains, Continue Progressing and Making Positive Changes
Step 8: Continuing the Process, Maintain Gains, and Prevent Relapse
- Review the nature of the problem and its history
- Explore the content of the targeted behaviors
Step 2: Establishing a Baseline
Step 3: Determining Goals
- Make sure the goals are realistic
- Make sure the goals are meaningful to the client
- State goals positively
Step 4: Developing Strategies
- Change precipitating conditions that trigger undesirable behaviors
- Teach skills and provide information that contribute to desired change
- Review and enhance impulse-control strategies
- Use additional strategies to facilitate positive change
- Formulate appropriate reinforcement contingencies and meaningful consequences
- Carefully plan implementation of the change process as well as ways to monitor and record the outcomes of that process
- Client and clinician make a written contract and the clinician encourages the client to share the commitment to change with others
Step 5: Implementing the Plan
Step 6: Assessing Progress and Evaluate the Success of the Plan
- Monitor and review the results of the implementation
- Emphasize successes
- Identify and address any obstacles to change
- Revise the plan, if necessary
Step 7: Reinforcing Gains, Continue Progressing and Making Positive Changes
Step 8: Continuing the Process, Maintain Gains, and Prevent Relapse
Behavioral Strategies and Interventions
Acting as If - developed by Adler and people "act as if" they are someone who they view as capable of handling a certain situation
Activity Scheduling - planning activities that are rewarding and provide a sense of accomplishment Aversion Therapy - linking undesirable behaviors with negative experiences motivates change; risky intervention Behavioral Rehearsal - role play a challenging task with a friend or the counselor and provides practice to improve their social skills Biofeedback - involves the use of instruments that monitor bodily functions, like heart rate and pulse rate, to give people feedback on those functions via light or tone. Contracting - establishing a clear goal between client and clinician about the goals of treatment and the roles of both participants Diaphragmatic Breathing - taking slow, deep breaths and focusing on breathing can be calming and even induce sleep Exposure - repeated contact with a feared or avoided stimulus will result in adaptation |
Expressive and Creative Activities - art therapy, dance therapy, and music therapy all provide opportunities for people to become more aware of and give for to their emotions
Extinction - withdrawing the payoff of an undesirable behavior in hopes of reducing or eliminating it Flooding - people are exposed to high doses of a feared stimulus in the expectation that this will desensitize them to a feared stimulus Modeling - children model behavior that they observe Reasonable (Natural) Consequences - the logical, and usually unpleasant, outcomes of an undesirable behavior Reinforcements - reinforcements and rewards encourage behavior change, enhance learning, and solidify gains Relaxation - relaxation techniques can facilitate people's efforts to reduce stress and anxiety and make behavioral changes Shaping - people make successive approximations of desired behaviors, eventually leading to new patterns of behavior Skill Training - teaching people the skills they need to effect change Token Economies - a system of rewards is developed, typically involving stars, points, or even poker chips that are used like trading chips to earn privileges (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014). |