Behavioral Development

Question 1

Behavioral Theories

Answer 1

Behavioral theorists suggest that personality is the result of interaction between the individual and the environment. Behavioral theorists study observable and measurable behaviors, rejecting theories that take internal thoughts and feelings into account.

Question 2

What do behaviors determine?

Answer 2

Feelings

Thus, changing behaviors will also change or eliminate undesired feelings. The goal is to modify behavior.

Question 3

The focus is on observable behavior

Answer 3

a target system, a problem behavior, or an environmental condition, rather than on a personality of a client

Question 4

What are the two fundamental classes of behavior?

Answer 4

Respondent
Operant

Question 5

Respondent

Answer 5

Involuntary behavior (anxiety, sexual response) that is automatically elicited by certain behavior. A stimulus elicits a response.

Question 6

Operant

Answer 6

Voluntary behavior (walking and talking) that is controlled by its consequences in the environment.

Question 7

What are the behavior paradigms?

Answer 7

Respondent or classical conditioning (Pavlov)
Operant conditioning (B.F. Skinner)

Question 7

Best known applications of behavior modifications

Answer 7

sexual dysfunction
phobic disorders
compulsive behaviors (overeating, smoking)
training persons with intellectual disabilities and/or autism spectrum disorder.

It is impractical for those using behavior modification to observe behavior when clients are not in a residential 24 hour impatient setting. Thus, social workers train clients to observe and monitor their own behavior.

Question 8

Operant Conditioning (B.F. Skinner)

Answer 8

Antecedents events or stimuli precede behaviors, which, in turn, are followed by consequences.

Antecedent → Response/Behavior → Consequence

Question 9

What are the operant techniques?

Answer 9

1. Positive Reinforcement
2. Negative Reinforcement
3. Positive punishment
4. Negative punishment

Question 10

Positive Reinforcement

Answer 10

Increases probability that behavior will occur–praising, giving tokens, or otherwise rewarding positive behavior.

Question 11

Negative reinforcement

Answer 11

Behavior increases because a negative (aversive) stimulus is removed.

When a behavior increases because something unpleasant is removed or stopped.

Ex: Putting on your seatbelt to stop the car from beeping.

Question 12

Positive Punishment

Answer 12

presentation of undesired stimulus following a behavior for the purpose of decreasing or eliminating that behavior. (I.e. hitting, shocking)

Question 13

Negative Punishment

Answer 13

Removal of a desirable stimulus following the behavior for the purpose of decreasing or eliminating that behavior (ie. Removing something positive, such as a token or dessert)

Question 14

Aversion Therapy

Answer 14

A treatment that pairs an unwanted behavior with something unpleasant to reduce or stop behavior.

Example: Using a bad tasting substance to stop nail biting.

Question 15

Biofeedback

Answer 15

A technique that teaches people to control body functions (like heart rate or muscle tension) using real-time feedback from sensors.

Example: Using a monitor to learn how to relax and lower your heart rate.

often use for ADHD or anxiety disorder

Question 16

Extinction

Answer 16

A process where a behavior decreases or stops because it is no longer reinforced or rewarded.

Example: If a child throws tantrums for attention and the caregiver stops giving attention, the tantrums may eventually stop.

Question 17

Flooding

Answer 17

A behavioral therapy technique where a person is exposed to a feared situation or object all at once, without gradual buildup, to help them face and reduce their fear.

Example: Someone afraid of dogs might spend time with a friendly dog right away instead of slowly working up to it.

Question 18

In Vivo desensitization

Answer 18

A gradual exposure technique where a person faces their fear in real life (not just through imagination), step by step, while using relaxation methods to stay calm.

Example: A person afraid of elevators might first stand near one, then ride from one floor, and slowly increase exposure until the fear decreases.

Question 19

Modeling

Answer 19

A learning technique where a person learns new behavior by watching and imitating someone else’s actions.

Example: A social worker demonstrates a calm communication during conflict, and the client practices the same approach.

Question 20

Rational Emotive Therapy (RET)

Answer 20

A form of cognitive behavioral therapy developed by Albert Ellis that helps people identify and change irrational beliefs that cause emotional distress.

Example: A client believes “I must be perfect or I’m worthless”. RET helps them replace that with, “I can makes mistakes and still have value.”

Question 21

Shaping

Answer 21

A technique used to teach new behaviors by reinforcing small steps that gradually lead to that desired behavior.

Example: If a child is learning thank you, the social worker might first praise them for making eye contact, then for saying part of the phrase, and for finally saying the full “thank you”.

Question 22

Systematic desensitization

Answer 22

A therapeutic method used to reduce anxiety or phobias by gradually exposing a person to the feared object or situation while practicing relaxation techniques.

Example: Someone afraid of flying first imagines being on a plane, then watches videos of flights, and eventually takes a short flight–all while using relaxation skills to stay calm.

Question 23

Time out

Answer 23

Removing of something desirable–negative punishment technique.

Question 24

Token economy

Answer 24

A behavior management system where a individual earns tokens for positive behaviors, which can later be exchanged for rewards or privileges. Example: in a group home, clients earn tokens for completing chores or showing respect, and they can trade them for extra leisure time or snacks.