9: Behavioural analysis and behavioural therapies

Question 1

• What are the main ways to increase desired behaviours?

Name 6 (1 may be split in 2)

Answer 1

+ve Rft (encouraging through tangible or psychological reward)

-ve Rft (when behaviour is not performed there are aversive consequences eg if I don’t do the dishes I feel bad for housemates, this makes me do the dishes)

Shaping: initiate behaviour which is not already taking plac by rewarding “successive approximations” by the subject eg learning violin- rewarded for playing more and more in tune…

Promting: Create an antecedent which causes desired R eg don’t give kids any afternoon tea, they get hungry and eat all their dinner

Modeling: begin reinforcing a particular R which the subject begins demonstrating without direct prompt eg staff overtime is initiated by some staff members and then others begin staying back also. Rft is that staff member feels like part of norm

Contingency of Rft: Rft is timed closely w R

Question 2

• What are the main ways to decrease undesired behaviours?

Name 7 (1 may be split in 2)

Answer 2

+ve punishment (behaviour (R) causes unpleasant event eg if I eat too much sugar I have to run around the block 10 times)

-ve punishment/ omission training (R causes lack of O eg if I eat too much sugar I’m not allowed to watch my favourite show)

Removing the Rft also as a -ve punishment eg not laughing when your kid swears

Extinction: Stop reinforcing Rand the behaviour will die out

Flooding: Immerse subject in feared environment in a safe, supported situation to eliminate anxious behaviour caused by fear eg Jenny going to the wedding

DRO (Differential reinforcement of other behaviours): Change habits via replacement behaviour eg substitute sugary food for another delicious alternative. Encouraging a different behaviour

ID antecedents and take away these triggers eg smoking bans in Australia, there are not many cues left in public spaces to reinforce smoking behaviour

Question 3

• What are the main ways to maintain behavioural change?

Name 4

Answer 3

Partial Rft: due to PREE (partial reinforcement extinction effect) partially reinforced behaviours continue longer than continuous Rft

Generalisation: Learn to generalise behaviours between environments eg kid swearing gets no laughs at home or out on the bus

Self Rft

Build intrinsic interest and competence eg substitute smoking habit for exercise which creates intrinsic desire to exercise more through endorphin release which reduces pain and causes a pleasant feeling

Question 4

• Identify the consequences and antecedents of a behaviour in an example

Answer 4

eg. Behaviour (R)= Staying up late when you’re really tired

Antecedents: Socialising eg housemates are home and we encourage each other to stay up late by continuing the conversation and enjoying the shared feeling of being tired together.

Consequences: even more tired the next day, drink too much coffee and cn’t concentrate