SQ11 (M Ch 21) Habit Reversal – 13 points
Chapter Questions:
Use Practice Test (Q5-11), Applications (Q2-4) and
Misapplications (Q1-3)
Miltenberger 7th Edition
Practice Test (Q5-11)
5. Question Describe the habit reversal procedure.
Habit reversal is a behavioral therapy technique used to reduce
unwanted habits. It involves awareness training, competing response
training, social support, and reinforcement. The individual first learns to
Answer recognize when the habit occurs and then practices a competing
response that is physically incompatible with the habit. Social support
and positive reinforcement help encourage adherence to the
procedure.
Describe the competing response that would be used for a
6. Question nervous habit of knuckle cracking.
A competing response for knuckle cracking could be clenching the fists
tightly for a few seconds or pressing the fingers against a flat surface
Answer
whenever the urge to crack knuckles arises. This response prevents
the knuckle-cracking movement from occurring.
Describe the competing response that would be used with
7. Question bruxism
For bruxism, a competing response might involve keeping the tongue
Answer positioned between the upper and lower teeth or practicing controlled,
relaxed jaw positioning. This prevents the grinding motion.
Describe the competing response that would be used with a motor
8. Question tic involving head jerking. What competing response would be
used with a vocal tic such as throat-clearing?
Answer I. For a motor tic involving head jerking, a competing response
could be tensing the neck muscles while keeping the head
still.
, II. For a vocal tic such as throat clearing, a competing response
might be slow, diaphragmatic breathing or gently pressing
the lips together to prevent the urge.
Describe regulated breathing, the competing response that is
9. Question used with stuttering.
Regulated breathing involves slow, controlled inhalation before
speaking and smooth, rhythmic exhalation while speaking. It helps
Answer
reduce speech disfluencies by promoting relaxed vocal cord
movement.
What is involved in the social support component of the habit
10. Question
reversal procedure?
Social support involves family members, friends, or therapists
encouraging the individual to use the competing response, providing
Answer
positive reinforcement when they do, and reminding them to be aware
of the habit.
11. Question Describe awareness training. What is its purpose?
Awareness training helps individuals recognize when their habit occurs
by identifying triggers and increasing self-monitoring. The goal is to
Answer
improve self-awareness so that the individual can consciously intervene
and use the competing response.
Applications (Q2-4)
Vicki is a college student who exhibits an eye-blink tic. The tic is
more prevalent when she is around other people, especially in
evaluative situations, such as classes where she is expected to
2. Question
participate actively. The tic involves rapid eye blinking and
squinting movements. Describe the implementation of the habit
reversal procedure for this motor tic.
Answer I. Awareness training: Vicki would be trained to notice when
she begins to blink excessively, particularly in social
situations.
II. Competing response: She could practice gently closing her
eyes for a few seconds or slightly tensing her eyelid muscles
Chapter Questions:
Use Practice Test (Q5-11), Applications (Q2-4) and
Misapplications (Q1-3)
Miltenberger 7th Edition
Practice Test (Q5-11)
5. Question Describe the habit reversal procedure.
Habit reversal is a behavioral therapy technique used to reduce
unwanted habits. It involves awareness training, competing response
training, social support, and reinforcement. The individual first learns to
Answer recognize when the habit occurs and then practices a competing
response that is physically incompatible with the habit. Social support
and positive reinforcement help encourage adherence to the
procedure.
Describe the competing response that would be used for a
6. Question nervous habit of knuckle cracking.
A competing response for knuckle cracking could be clenching the fists
tightly for a few seconds or pressing the fingers against a flat surface
Answer
whenever the urge to crack knuckles arises. This response prevents
the knuckle-cracking movement from occurring.
Describe the competing response that would be used with
7. Question bruxism
For bruxism, a competing response might involve keeping the tongue
Answer positioned between the upper and lower teeth or practicing controlled,
relaxed jaw positioning. This prevents the grinding motion.
Describe the competing response that would be used with a motor
8. Question tic involving head jerking. What competing response would be
used with a vocal tic such as throat-clearing?
Answer I. For a motor tic involving head jerking, a competing response
could be tensing the neck muscles while keeping the head
still.
, II. For a vocal tic such as throat clearing, a competing response
might be slow, diaphragmatic breathing or gently pressing
the lips together to prevent the urge.
Describe regulated breathing, the competing response that is
9. Question used with stuttering.
Regulated breathing involves slow, controlled inhalation before
speaking and smooth, rhythmic exhalation while speaking. It helps
Answer
reduce speech disfluencies by promoting relaxed vocal cord
movement.
What is involved in the social support component of the habit
10. Question
reversal procedure?
Social support involves family members, friends, or therapists
encouraging the individual to use the competing response, providing
Answer
positive reinforcement when they do, and reminding them to be aware
of the habit.
11. Question Describe awareness training. What is its purpose?
Awareness training helps individuals recognize when their habit occurs
by identifying triggers and increasing self-monitoring. The goal is to
Answer
improve self-awareness so that the individual can consciously intervene
and use the competing response.
Applications (Q2-4)
Vicki is a college student who exhibits an eye-blink tic. The tic is
more prevalent when she is around other people, especially in
evaluative situations, such as classes where she is expected to
2. Question
participate actively. The tic involves rapid eye blinking and
squinting movements. Describe the implementation of the habit
reversal procedure for this motor tic.
Answer I. Awareness training: Vicki would be trained to notice when
she begins to blink excessively, particularly in social
situations.
II. Competing response: She could practice gently closing her
eyes for a few seconds or slightly tensing her eyelid muscles
