My Theory of Change
Abstract
The main difference between behaviorism and other theories is that behaviorism is based on observations and experiments and uses reinforcers. Behavior theory proposes three main theories of behavior- classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and social-cognitive theory. These theories influence an individual’s behaviors. Aside from these three theories, this composition goes deeper into my view of human nature; why the behaviorist theory appeals to me, how I view people changing and my role as a mental health professional in that change. Incorporated in the essay is my theory of change.
Theory of Change
My View of Human Nature
My view of human nature is a person’s behavior is learned whether his or her behavior is adaptive or maladaptive. However, I believe more adaptive behavior can be learned to replace maladaptive behavior. I search for empirical or observable evidence when studying clients’ behaviors and utilize those observable indicators as support that my techniques are indeed working.
I believe my views of human nature have changed very little as I have grown and matured. I believe every person is responsible for his or her problems and the responsibility of correcting those problems is the individuals as well. I also believe we are products of our environment and the environment can play a major role in change whether it is for the better or worse. For example, a child raised by a detached parent may present with attachment issues. I believe this child, although raised in an uncaring environment, is responsible for his or her actions later in life with his or her child or children. It is the responsibility of the individual to seek change to better his or her life as well as those impacted by it. If this person chooses not to change, natural consequences will be introduced and, hopefully, change as well. I also view human nature as a modeling process in which new behaviors are learned by watching or observing other individuals and events without actually engaging in those behaviors or experiencing the consequences of those behaviors. This view of human nature is consistent with a behaviorist process called social modeling. For example, when an individual observes another person “tagging” a railroad car, he or she can experience the consequences of that individual and determine if it is an activity in which he or she wishes to take part.
My view of human nature is consistent with the behaviorist view in that behavioral therapists do not seek to find meaning in unconscious conflicts as psychodynamic therapists do. Nor do they assist clients in developing accurate perceptions of their self or inner feelings like humanistic therapists do (Simons, Kalichman & Santrock, 1994). These types of therapies focus on treating maladaptive behaviors as an indication of some sort of internal puzzle. Behaviorists, as do I, believe the focus of treatment should not be on internal battles or feelings, instead treatment should focus on those obvious and observable maladaptive behaviors because they are viewed as the problem. According to Simons, Kalichman, and Santrock, “individuals can become aware of why they are depressed and still be depressed” (Simons et al. 1994). The behavioral therapist would work to eliminate the symptoms or behaviors surrounding the depression rather than having them look for insight or awareness as to why they are depressed.
Lastly, a behaviorist sees the environment as conflicting unforeseen events leading to, as Skinner puts it, “conflicting repertoires of behavior” (Skinner, pg. 165). This view is consistent with my analysis of the environments impact on individuals. I see crisis as a precursor leading to maladaptive behaviors. Skinner (1974) goes on to explain an individual, who may be courteous most of the time, might occasionally act out in a cruel or catty manner. Skinner is explaining that if we wanted to know what a person is really like could mean we must look at what he or she would have been like if we had observed the client before his or her behavior was “subjected to the action of an environment” (Skinner, pg 165). With this said, the crisis may have been unforeseen, but to see an individuals “human nature” we would use pre-crisis behavior as a baseline for post-crisis behavior improvement. Skinner eloquently states. “Genetic endowment is nothing until it has been exposed to the environment, and the exposure immediately changes it” (Skinner, pg. 165).
Why Behaviorism Appeals to Me
Behaviorism appeals to me because the role of a behavioral counselor is to act as a consultant, a teacher, an advisor, a reinforcer, a facilitator and a model. The behavioral counselor is very active and may even oversee other people in the clients’ environment in order for them to be successful in the goals they set (Gladding, 1996). Since behaviorists are time oriented, they focus on the here and now and look at current behaviors, not past ones. Although, I do believe the past plays a role in individuals’ current behaviors, whether the past produces adaptive or maladaptive behavior, I appreciate how the behaviorist approach works to change current behaviors to produce more adaptive ones.
Secondly, the approaches and techniques of the behaviorist approach appeals to me. Behavioral therapists use a wide variety of therapeutic techniques. To date, they are the best-researched and most effective techniques available. I would suppose as a behaviorist, observable statistics only confirm my convictions to the theory.
As an example, reinforcers increase a desired behavior, when they follow the behavior (Gladding, 1996). The subject views negative and positive reinforcers as good or bad and changes behaviors to elicit appropriate “feeling” or reaction.
Token economy is a behavior modification system in which behaviors are reinforced with tokens, such as poker chips, that can be exchanged for desired rewards like money or food (Simons et al. 1994). In each position I have had, professionally and personally, I have found tokens as rewards and punishments to have amazing results. Boys and Girls Home uses a point system as means to elicit appropriate behaviors. When a client behaves in an undesired way, a point is taken. In return a client can earn points by behaving appropriately. I think this approach is most effective with children and adolescents in a residential setting, where conditions can be controlled.
Shaping is another technique used by behaviorists. Shaping gradually reinforces certain parts of a target behavior to more closely approximate a desired target behavior (Sharf, 2004). I find this approach appealing as well. I believe change does not happen over night, and some maladaptive behaviors take a lifetime to create. Shaping can allow clients to see a gradual yet observable, measurable change. Over time, total change through shaping may occur. It is that amazing!!
Generalization, extinction and systematic desensitization are also techniques utilized by behavioral counselors, which are appealing to me. Through generalization a client is able to transfer learning from the laboratory to the real world. For example a client, who is assertive with his or her feelings in a session, will not only be assertive with his or her significant other, but they may also be assertive with his or her boss, children, friends or foes as well. Extinction occurs when the reward or reinforcer is withheld from the subject, and the behavior is eliminated (Delamater, 2004). Finally, systematic desensitization is a process achieved through successive trials to reduce anxiety toward an event that causes anxiety (Gladding, 1996). Once the client is finished, the counselor will assist the client in relaxation techniques to decrease or overcome anxiety. These techniques appeal to me because it seems if one technique does not work another will, or a modification of the same will, or the opposite will, it’s amazing!!
A technique used uniquely by behaviorists is a contract. Contracts appeal to me when it is used as a reward, such as a behavior chart. I even use them on myself!! I also appreciate the implications of contracts. Skinner (1974) states, “A labor contract specifies among other things what a worker is to do and how much he is to be paid. A contract is put in force when children are told that if they behave well, they will get a treat.” This idea goes to show humans may use behaviorist techniques without knowing so. The child and the worker will behave in a manner to receive his or her reward, whether it is money or a treat. The idea of contracts is appealing to me because just as my contract for my job states my job duties, it also permits my boss to subject me to disciplinary action if warranted. The design of a contract has built in consequences as well as potential for rewards.
I have a strong connection and understanding of my religious as well as political beliefs. Behaviorism appeals to me because it has a tie to government and religion. Skinner (1974) states,
When people began to live together in groups, a social environment arose, and it was marked by certain practices. Those who behaved in ways injurious to others, for example, were punished by those they injured. Standard warnings could be formulated, as the behavior came to be called bad and punished accordingly, even by those who were not injured by a specific instance. The contingencies became more powerful when they were codified in the religious and governmental warnings, directions, and instructions called laws. By obeying the law a person avoids punishment. (Skinner, 1974, pg. 135-136).
The main focus of what Skinner is saying here is behaviors are marked as inappropriate, such as child abuse, drug use and domestic violence, and due to the laws put in place by a body of government, these behaviors may be avoided due to those sanctions put upon him of her. Skinner goes on to say, “Special contingencies are arranged to enforce governmental and religious laws, but uncontrived social contingencies maintained by the group may have the same effect (Skinner, pg. 136).” For example the law has sanctions on stealing. A child may go to church and learn from the Ten Commandments stealing is not permitted. As the child grows, he or she may abstain from stealing to stay away from the displeasure of his or her parents. In doing so the child has conceded to the control of the “uncodified social sanctions from which the law was originally derived (Skinner, 1974).”
Behaviorism appeals to me mostly in this respect. I believe the social pressure of traditional, conservative views gives behaviorism a built in reward and punishment system, which is provided to society as a baseline for appropriate behavior. When a member of that society acts in a socially inappropriate manner, for example, abuses a child, “the system” steps in and imposes appropriate sanctions. I could go on for days about my political and religious beliefs, however that is not the scope of this essay. Suffice it to say society has a built-in “uncodified social sanctions from which the law was originally derived (Skinner, pg. 136).”
The goal of a behavioral therapist is to help the client improve and better adjust to life in an adaptive manner through specific goals. One of the main goals of a behavioral therapist is to change a clients target behavior. Finding a target behavior is also a main focus of assessment and goal setting for behavioral counselors. Given these goals, the idea of going from point A to point B is also appealing to me. I like to be able to not only document progress in my clients treatment plan but to physically show them that progress or regress as well. The fact that the behaviorist view is concrete, but the interventions can be abstract is almost alluring to me. I can certainly appreciate seeing laid out techniques, which allow therapists to make waves and individualize treatment!
How I View People Changing
My view of how people change is relatively cut and dry. I view people as changing rarely. I believe crisis and environmental influence change people. Without divulging too much of my personal history, I believe children raised in crisis or experiencing a life altering crisis are either resilient and overcome adversity becoming the exception or develop maladaptive behaviors. I believe those people who develop maladaptive behaviors learn either from parenting or social cues to change or seek help to change. Those individuals who do not alter his or her behavior or seek help to change do not change. Those who do not modify behaviors are either social outcasts or are somehow introduced into the legal or mental health systems as disciplinary or involuntary actions.
My view of the process of change when presented with maladaptive behaviors however, I believe is dependent on the illness. I believe clients with bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder; post-traumatic stress disorder and especially borderline personality disorder require the most change and experience that change the slowest.
I believe the most important aspect of mental health and change is timing. I believe children are the most impressionable and thankfully resilient human beings. I believe the younger mental health professionals intervene in maladaptive behaviors the more likely change is to occur. I believe the older an individual gets the less likely he or she is to change.
My Role As A Mental Health Professional in Change
My role as a mental health professional in change will be with children and adolescents in a residential treatment setting. I hope to work with children in a structured environment, which teaches clients to use effective coping skills and engage them in activities in society to encourage healthy relationships and foster change. I recognize that some children come from a chaotic home environment. This makes me more cognizant of the effects the environment, mostly parenting, has on clients. I also understand each client is different and what may work for one client may not work for another, which makes it necessary for me to focus on individualized treatment for individual clients. The individualized treatment allows me to identify to what extent the client can resolve issues through personal change, learning what resources in the clients environment can help the client grow and together learn how the client can bring about the necessary changes in the environment or whether solutions lie in the client or the environment changing.
Although behaviorism is my theory of choice, I believe my role as a mental health professional in change includes a multifaceted approach within a multicultural society. However, I do believe it is essential to confront negative environmental factors while promoting positive healthy conditions. I would foster this by developing new skills to assist clients, which requires him or her to constantly learn and apply newly learned strategies.
I also believe a large role for a mental health professional in change is promoting prevention. I think working with children and adolescents to prevent him or her from getting any further into “the system” by learning to deal with stress is an important role for me in my professional career.
References
Delamater, A. R., (2004). Experimental extinction in Pavlovian Conditioning:
Behavioral and Neuroscience Perspectives. Quarterly Journal of Experimental
Gladding, S., (1996). Counseling: A Comprehensive Profession. Upper Saddle, NJ. Prentice Hall.
Sharf, R.S., (2004). Theories of Psychotherapy and Counseling. Pacific Grove, CA. Brooks/Cole.
Simons, J.A., Kalichman, S., Santrock, J.W., (1994). Human Adjustment. Dubuque, IA: Wm. C. Brown Communications, Inc.
Skinner, B. F., (1974). About Behaviorism. New York, NY. Random House.