Behavior Modification

Recommended Prerequisites

It is advisable that students have already completed the following courses: Psychology of Learning and Problem-solving, Development, Biology and Behavior Psychology.

Teaching Methods

Lectures and interactive methods. Practical activities using participant modeling techniques, behavioral representation, discussion of cases and feedback.

Learning Outcomes

This course aims to:

1. Present the context of emergence and the basic assumptions of Behaviour Therapy

2. Present the main characteristics of the Classical, Operant and Social Learning Paradigms, as well as their therapeutic implications

3. Present the importance and function of the behavioural analysis

4. Promote the acquisition of skills related to the  application of techniques derived from the different paradigms to different behaviour problems

Learning Outcomes

Acquisition of knowledge of behavioral paradigms.

Knowing the therapeutic implications derived from behavioral paradigms.

Acquisition of practical skills in order to implement different strategies and therapeutic techniques to different behavioral problems.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1. The context of the emergence of Behavioral Therapy and scientific assumptions.

2. The English school and the American school.

3. Classical Conditioning Paradigm: fundamental concepts, type A and type B conditioning, psychopathology, therapeutic methods that derive from this paradigm and limitations.

4. Operating Conditioning Paradigm: fundamental concepts, psychopathology, therapeutic strategies and limitations.

5. Social Learning Paradigm: fundamental concepts, psychopathology, therapeutic methods and limitations.

6. Behavior Assessment

7. Behavioral formulation - Functional Analysis.

Head Lecturer(s)

Paula Cristina Oliveira Castilho Freitas

Assessment Methods

Periodic
Operating Conditioning Paradigm: a practical case: 25.0%
Classical Conditioning Paradigm: a practical case: 25.0%
Exam: 50.0%

Final
Exam: 100.0%

Bibliography

1. Gonçalves, O.F. (1999). Introdução às psicoterapias comportamentais. Quarteto. Coimbra

2.  Bellack, A., Hersen, M. & Kadzin, A. (1990). International Handbook of Behavior Modification and Therapy (2º ed). New York: Plenum Press

3.  Eysenck, H. & Martin, I. (1987). Theoretical foundations of behavior therapy. New York: Plenum Press

4. Levis, D. (1990). The experimental and theoretical foundations of behavior modification. In Bellack, A., Hersen, M. & Kadzin, A. (eds), International Handbook of Behavior Modification and Therapy (2ª ed). New York: Plenum Press.