Beahvioral Tools Doc

Beahvioral Tools Doc

Behavioral Tools
Michelle Humble, Revelle Klomp, and Monique Narciso
BSHS/312
July 18, 2011
Dr. Lou Kavar
Behavioral Tools
Unlike the humanistic model, the behavioral theory does not claim that there is an ultimate state of individual high functioning.   Instead, behavioral theorists believe ones behavior can be altered through the use of behavioral tools using reward and punishment as motivators.   Team A determined which behavioral tools would be useful for a professional to have in their arsenal.   Following are descriptions of the behavioral tools discussed by team A, which are flooding, systematic desensitization, and positive reinforcement.
Systematic Desensitization
Systematic Desensitization is a step-by-step process that can be used by a therapist, psychologist, or anyone, who is trying to rid of their fear or reduce anxiety. Desensitization replaces one type of response for another. This helps the client decrease his or her fear or anxiety. There are three to steps to systematic desensitization. It usually takes about 10 to 30 sessions to complete. That is on average, but it depends on how severe the situation is and how much anxiety there is.
The first step to this method would be relaxing the client as much as possible so he or she can become comfortable. The second step would be to introduce the client to what it is that he or she is afraid of, or get to the source of the anxiety. The third step is to get as close to the fear or the source of anxiety as you can with the use of patience.   The client can also apply this to his or her daily life to help overcome and control any anxiety and fear.
To identify the different situations that the client has experienced or fears to experience, and provoke her or his fear is hierarchy. This can be used as part of the steps to help the person face their fears in an order that she or he can overcome slowly and by his or her own control. If someone is afraid of something, for example, an animal, he or she...