Yaritza Waddell

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy- Week 6 Summary

10/19/2015
Dr. Susan Torres-Harding

Bandura, A. (1974) discussed how behaviorism is equated with conditioning, which is the
learning through paired experiences. Classical conditioning was thought to be automatic, but
research now shows that it is cognitively mediated. It was said that if Pavlov did not use a dog
for the study it would have been treated in a more enlightened way. Behavior was discussed as a
result of consequences. It seems that people are mechanical and controlled by the environment,
but individuals also shape the environment that affects them. Response consequences were
discussed in terms of how they impart information, motivate, and inform. Behavior is very
affected if there is no awareness of reinforcement. Isolation was also discussed as not being
beneficial when discussing modeling and observational behavior. Individuals tend to choose
similar associations ad a form of self-reinforcement. The displacement of responsibility due to
morals was also discussed. This could also be done through dehumanizing. It is now becoming
clearer and more accepted that behaviorism has a cognitive orientation.
Thorpe, G.L., & Olson, S.L. (1990) discussed covert conditioning which requires the
client to fantasize the performance of specific behaviors. Stimulus control procedures were also
discussed as something to take advantage of. Things that strongly influence behavior included
placebo and expectancy effects as well as self-control and management. Self-reinforcement was
mentioned as a way to increase behavior, but there was a problem of self-control. The article also
had information on observational learning, which is also known as modeling, as well as the
effects. Banduras social learning theory was explained as combining conditioning and learning
principles with observational learning principles as well as the research on expectancy. Other
topics covered with regards to conditioning were self-efficacy, as well as inhibitory and
disinhibitory effects. Assertiveness training was also discussed and explained as using modeling
with role-playing and rehearsal to assist with the development of social skills. Another approach

Yaritza Waddell
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy- Week 6 Summary

10/19/2015
Dr. Susan Torres-Harding

discussed was Meichenbaums cognitive-behavior modification where patients use self-help

instructions to help guide their behaviors to be appropriate. Elliss rational-emotive therapy was
also discussed as aiming to help clients discredit the maladaptive views that cause them to be
anxious, depressed, or angry. Becks cognitive therapy was discussed through the explanation of
the cognitive triad, which includes the self, the world, and the future. It also discussed schemas
and distortions. Cognitive restructuring was also discussed as a way to change maladaptive
cognitions. Coping and problems solving is the main goal of behaviorism.
Cattaneo, L.B., & Chapman, A. R. (2010), discussed the meaning of empowerment and a
model of the process of empowerment that could be used in research and practice. The
components of the model are personally meaningful and power-oriented goals, self-efficacy,
knowledge, experience, competence, action, and impact. The definition of empowerment in this
article was a process on which someone who lacks power sets these goals to increase their power
and actually takes actions to create the change and also observes and reflects on the impact of
their actions. This allows observation of the clients evolving self-efficacy, knowledge, and
competence related to the goal. It was said that social context influence all aspects of the model.
The goal is to change the social influence of the person rather than intrapsychic. Empowerment
could be defined through mastery, participation, the social good, and goal achievement, Selfefficacy and competence are important aspects of this model because of the difference between
the belief about their abilities and what they are actually capable of achieving. An example of
using this model as a therapist that was discussed was of a therapist who was a feminist or
multicultural that brought power to the front of therapy when power is an issue for the client.
Social justice was also discussed saying that the model does not discriminate against the poweroriented goals that the person may have.