orientation choice for scientist-practitioners and
clinical scientists. There are, however, several lim-
itations and challenges that lie ahead. At times, the
link between behavior therapy techniques and sci-
entific, experimental evidence has not been as
strong as has been claimed. Further, many myths
still plague the field, including that behavior ther-
apy is dehumanizing and overly controlling. For the
future, there is a need for more attention to the
incorporation of advances in psychological science.KEY TERMS
anxiety hierarchyIn systematic desensitization, a
list of situations that precipitate anxiety reactions,
ordered from lowest to highest severity. Often,
items may be organized according to their spatial
or temporal distance from the feared stimulus.
assertiveness trainingUsing behavioral rehearsal
and other techniques to train people to express
their needs effectively without infringing on the
rights of others.
aversion therapyA controversial type of treat-
ment in which an undesired behavior is followed
consistently by an unpleasant consequence, thus
decreasing the strength of the behavior over time.
behavioral rehearsalA general technique for
expanding the patient’s repertoire of coping
behaviors. Successful behavioral rehearsal involves
explaining to the patient the necessity of acquiring
the new behaviors, selecting the target situations,
conducting the rehearsal and providing feedback,
and having the patient apply the newly acquired
skills in real-life situations.
behavior therapyA framework for treating
disordersthatisbasedontheprinciplesof
conditioning or learning. The behavioral approach
is scientific in nature and deemphasizes the role of
inferred (i.e., unobservable) variables on behavior.
cognitive-behavioral therapyAtherapy
framework that emphasizes the role of thinking
in the etiology and maintenance of problems.
Cognitive-behavioral techniques attempt to
modifythepatternsofthinkingthatarebelievedto
contribute to a patient’sproblemsandmayalso
employ the principles of conditioning and learning
to modify problematic behaviors.
cognitive therapyA mode of therapy pioneered
by Aaron Beck that focuses on the connection
between thinking patterns, emotions, and behavior
and uses both cognitive and behavioral techniques to
modify the dysfunctional thinking patterns that
characterize a disorder. Cognitive therapy is active,
structured, and time limited and has been adapted for
the treatment of several disorders.
contingency contractingA contingency man-
agement technique in which the therapist and patient
draw up a contract that specifies the behaviors that are
desired and undesired as well as the consequences of
engaging or failing to engage in these behaviors.
contingency managementAny one of a variety
of operant conditioning techniques that attempts
to control a behavior by manipulating its
consequences.
counterconditioningThe principle of substi-
tuting relaxation for an anxiety response.
covert sensitizationA form of aversion therapy
in which patients are directed to imagine them-
selves engaging in an undesired behavior and then
are instructed to imagine extremely aversive events
occurring once they have the undesired behavior
clearly in mind.
dialectical behavior therapyA cognitive-
behavioral therapy developed by Marsha Linehan
for borderline personality disorder and related
conditions that teaches skills in mindfulness,
emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and inter-
personal effectiveness.
exposure plus response preventionA beha-
vioral technique often used for the treatment of OCD.
In this technique, the patient is exposed to the428 CHAPTER 14