Reference no: EM133975205

Assignment:

Desensitization:

This is a method that is commonly used by therapists to help people with anxiety problems. It applies the principles of classical conditioning. We gradually unlearn our fear response. The basic idea is that we cannot be simultaneously relaxed and anxious. So, we get into a relaxed state and then gradually expose ourselves to whatever it is that we fear. For example, if you are afraid of snakes, you might first just imagine a snake, then look at a picture of a snake, then video of a moving snake, then look at a snake across the room, then sit next to the cage, then watch someone hold the snake next to you, and then hold the snake yourself. After each step you would get into the relaxed state until you could maintain that state while seeing the snake at each stage in the process. So, you are learning to associate the snake with relaxation, not anxiety.

Conditioned Aversion:

This is the process of making something fun (but that we don t want to do) unattractive. It is also based on the principles of classical conditioning. For example, alcoholics are often given a drug that makes them sick when they drink alcohol. This creates an association between alcohol and becoming sick. This has been used, pretty unsuccessfully, in treating pedophiles. It is not the most effective method of behavior change.

Stimulus Control:

This method is also based on the principles of classical conditioning. This is useful in treating insomnia and overeating. The behavior in question is only allowed to occur under controlled conditions. For example, if you are suffering from insomnia you would want to only go to bed when you are tired. Once in bed, you would not watch TV or read. The bed would only be for sleep. So, the bed would become associated with sleep.

Changing Behavior Using Operant Conditioning

These methods are based on the principles of operant conditioning.

Premack Principle

Although it sounds like the name of an alien, this is actually an effective method of behavior modification. This involves rewarding a behavior that you don t really want to do with one that you do want to do. So, if you need to get your homework done, you might tell yourself that once your homework is done you can play a video game. A child can be motivated to do her chores by allowing her to watch TV when she s finished. A high frequent behavior is contingent upon the completion of a low frequent behavior (unpleasant task).

Token Economy

This is an effective method as well. A desired behavior is reinforced with some sort of token (gold star, play money, marbles, etc.). Once a person has accumulated a certain number of tokens they can be traded in for something the person considers desirable. In the case of a child, this may be a toy. In the case of a person living in a group home setting, this may be a special outing.

Think of a behavior that you would like to change in yourself.

This could be something you would like to do more, something you would like to do less, or a behavior that you would like to stop altogether.

1. What is the behavior you would like to change?

2. come up with a plan to change your behavior using the principles of classical and operant conditioning that you have studied.

a. How could you apply the principles of classical conditioning to changing this behavior?

b. How could you apply the principles of operant conditioning to changing this behavior?

i. Consider reinforcement and punishment.

ii. Is the reinforcement/punishment positive or negative?

iii. If using reinforcement, what schedule would you use and why?