Cognitive-Behavioural Approaches
Lecture part 1
The behavioural approach
Behavioural models
Originated in 50s/60s
Departure from the prevailing treatments at the time (medications/physical
treatment) and from the introspective psychoanalytic perspective
Symptoms are learned patterns of behaviour
3 generations of behavioural therapy:
o Traditional/ radical behavioural therapy
o Cognitive behavioural therapy
o ‘third wave’ behavioural therapy
Pavlov (1849-1936)
Classical conditioning
o Instincts and reflexes: inevitable responses of organism to internal/ external
stimuli
o Based on salivary reflex behaviour in dogs
Watson (1878-1958)
‘the behaviour of animals and the behaviour of man must be considered on the
same plane’
Psychology as a science:
o OLD PSYCHOLOGY: subjective, introspection
o NEW PSYCHOLOGY: objective, behaviourism
Emphasis on external behaviours rather than internal processes
Some stimuli and responses are unconditioned
Many are conditioned (learned)
Conditioning emotion – ‘Little albert’
Before conditioning
o Loud noise > fear
o Rat > no fear
, During conditions
o Loud noise + rat > fear
After conditioning
o Rat > fear
o Rabbit > fear
o Fur coat > fear (generalisation)
Acquisition of phobias
Started by an unconditioned stimulus (e.g. lost in a crowd when younger) –
unconditioned stimulus
This has caused anxiety - unconditioned response
This has then been associated with any enclosed space (e.g. changing rooms, lifts) –
conditioned stimulus
Learned anxiety from claustrophobia – conditioned response
Skinner (1904-1990)
The consequence of our behaviour are important for learning
Operant conditioning
o Probability of behaviour depends on consequence of previous behaviours
Reinforcement increases likelihood of a behaviour
o Positive – something pleasant occurs (reward)
o Negative – something aversive avoided (if they did washing up they wouldn’t
have to clean room)
o Punishment – if they did something they would get shouted at
Maintenance of phobias
Reinforcement helps explain the maintenance of phobias
Acquisition through classical conditioning – learned fear response to previously
neutral item
Avoidance learning – avoidance of the CS leads to prevention of fear/anxiety >
negative reinforcement
Avoidance of phobia leads to the prevention of unlearning
OCD
In a fearful situation, a particular beh. coincidentally occurs
When threat subsides, behaviour linked to fear reduction
o Behaviour becomes negatively reinforced
o Compulsions
Lack of opportunity for unlearning
Bandura (1925-)
SLT or social cognitive theory
Importance of human agency, observational learning and perceived self-efficacy
Relates the person to their environment and behaviour
This theory sates that phobias can be developed by their parents
Lecture part 2
Lecture part 1
The behavioural approach
Behavioural models
Originated in 50s/60s
Departure from the prevailing treatments at the time (medications/physical
treatment) and from the introspective psychoanalytic perspective
Symptoms are learned patterns of behaviour
3 generations of behavioural therapy:
o Traditional/ radical behavioural therapy
o Cognitive behavioural therapy
o ‘third wave’ behavioural therapy
Pavlov (1849-1936)
Classical conditioning
o Instincts and reflexes: inevitable responses of organism to internal/ external
stimuli
o Based on salivary reflex behaviour in dogs
Watson (1878-1958)
‘the behaviour of animals and the behaviour of man must be considered on the
same plane’
Psychology as a science:
o OLD PSYCHOLOGY: subjective, introspection
o NEW PSYCHOLOGY: objective, behaviourism
Emphasis on external behaviours rather than internal processes
Some stimuli and responses are unconditioned
Many are conditioned (learned)
Conditioning emotion – ‘Little albert’
Before conditioning
o Loud noise > fear
o Rat > no fear
, During conditions
o Loud noise + rat > fear
After conditioning
o Rat > fear
o Rabbit > fear
o Fur coat > fear (generalisation)
Acquisition of phobias
Started by an unconditioned stimulus (e.g. lost in a crowd when younger) –
unconditioned stimulus
This has caused anxiety - unconditioned response
This has then been associated with any enclosed space (e.g. changing rooms, lifts) –
conditioned stimulus
Learned anxiety from claustrophobia – conditioned response
Skinner (1904-1990)
The consequence of our behaviour are important for learning
Operant conditioning
o Probability of behaviour depends on consequence of previous behaviours
Reinforcement increases likelihood of a behaviour
o Positive – something pleasant occurs (reward)
o Negative – something aversive avoided (if they did washing up they wouldn’t
have to clean room)
o Punishment – if they did something they would get shouted at
Maintenance of phobias
Reinforcement helps explain the maintenance of phobias
Acquisition through classical conditioning – learned fear response to previously
neutral item
Avoidance learning – avoidance of the CS leads to prevention of fear/anxiety >
negative reinforcement
Avoidance of phobia leads to the prevention of unlearning
OCD
In a fearful situation, a particular beh. coincidentally occurs
When threat subsides, behaviour linked to fear reduction
o Behaviour becomes negatively reinforced
o Compulsions
Lack of opportunity for unlearning
Bandura (1925-)
SLT or social cognitive theory
Importance of human agency, observational learning and perceived self-efficacy
Relates the person to their environment and behaviour
This theory sates that phobias can be developed by their parents
Lecture part 2
