Question 1

Dr.Robinson works with people who are intellectually disabled.In order to help them master self-help skills,he positively reinforces each successive attempt toward a skill.What behavioral strategy is Dr.Robinson using?

Accepted Answer

Dr. Robinson is using shaping, which involves reinforcing successive approximations towards a desired behavior in order to shape the ultimate behavior.

Question 2

A behavior therapist using operant conditioning techniques attempts to change undesirable behavior by ____.

Accepted Answer

Operant conditioning focuses on changing behavior by manipulating the consequences of that behavior, such as rewards or punishments. By changing the consequences, the therapist can either increase or decrease the likelihood of the behavior occurring in the future. This differs from classical conditioning, which focuses on creating specific associations between stimuli and responses. Therefore, the best choice is D.

Question 3

Reinforcing a shy child with verbal praise every time he speaks out in class is an example of ____.

Accepted Answer

This is an example of operant conditioning, as the reinforcement (verbal praise) is given every time the behavior (speaking out in class) is exhibited, which increases the likelihood of the behavior being repeated in the future.

Question 4

A token economy involves ____.

Accepted Answer

A token economy involves rewarding appropriate behavior with points or chips that can be exchanged for desired items such as food. It is a system used to positively reinforce desired behavior, often used in schools, therapy, and other settings to promote positive behavior change. The other options are not related to the concept of a token economy.

Question 5

Kristen,who is afraid of leaving her house,is asked to write out a list of situations that trigger her fear,from least fear-provoking to most fear-provoking.Kristen is creating a(n)____.

Accepted Answer

Kristen is creating an anxiety hierarchy or fear hierarchy, which is a list of situations or stimuli arranged in order of increasing fear or anxiety provocation. This hierarchy is frequently used in exposure therapy to gradually expose individuals to the feared stimuli and desensitize them, leading to reduced anxiety and improved functioning.

Question 6

If you have participated in an environment in which something like gold stars were given for appropriate behavior,and a certain number of gold stars earned something like an ice cream treat,you have been involved in a ____.

Accepted Answer

This describes a token economy, which is a system of reinforcing desired behaviors by awarding tokens that can be exchanged for rewards. The gold stars in this scenario would be the tokens and the ice cream treat would be the reward.

Question 7

Of the following therapeutic techniques,which is most similar to the behavioral principle of punishment?

Accepted Answer

Aversive conditioning is the therapeutic technique most similar to the behavioral principle of punishment. Both involve the use of unpleasant consequences to decrease a problematic behavior. Aversive conditioning involves pairing an unpleasant stimulus with a behavior in order to reduce the occurrence of the behavior.

Question 8

The goal of rational-emotive therapy is to ____.

Accepted Answer

The goal of rational-emotive therapy is to identify and change irrational beliefs. The therapy focuses on helping individuals change their negative thoughts and beliefs into more positive and rational ones. Through this process, clients can learn to manage their emotions and behaviors more adaptively.

Question 9

Which strategy is least likely to be used by a behavioral therapist?

Accepted Answer

Punishment is not typically used by behavioral therapists because it can be ineffective and can lead to negative side effects, such as aggression and avoidance.

Question 10

Many would regard covert sensitization therapy as a more humane form of treatment that can be used as an alternative for ____.

Accepted Answer

Covert sensitization therapy involves imagining negative consequences of engaging in unwanted behavior instead of experiencing them physically. It is considered a more humane alternative to aversion therapy, which involves physically inducing discomfort or pain in response to unwanted behavior.

Question 11

Shaping can be used in behavior therapy and is based on ____ principles.

Accepted Answer

Shaping is based on the principles of operant conditioning, where behavior is strengthened or weakened by its consequences. In shaping, desired behaviors are reinforced gradually by reinforcing successive approximations towards the desired behavior.

Question 12

Behavior therapy techniques that rely on operant conditioning principles include ____.

Accepted Answer

Operant conditioning principles involve modifying behavior through reinforcement and punishment. Shaping is a technique that involves reinforcing successive approximations of a desired behavior, making it a behavior therapy technique that relies on operant conditioning principles. Flooding and systematic desensitization, on the other hand, are techniques that involve classical conditioning principles. Reflection is not a behavior therapy technique at all, but rather a therapeutic tool for promoting self-awareness and insight.

Question 13

Because behavior therapies do not address important thoughts and perceptions,they are often used in conjunction with ____.

Accepted Answer

Cognitive therapy focuses on identifying and changing negative thoughts and beliefs that contribute to problematic behavior. Therefore, it is the best choice for being used in conjunction with behavior therapies that focus solely on behavior without addressing thoughts and perceptions.

Question 14

Every time Kian correctly uses his fork,his mother praises him.Kian's mother is most likely using which operant conditioning strategy to influence Kian's behavior?

Accepted Answer

Kian's mother is using positive reinforcement, which involves adding a reward (praise) to increase the likelihood of the behavior (using his fork) being repeated in the future.

Question 15

What behavioral technique are companies that use "point-rewards" (giving customers points that can eventually be redeemed for an item or service)?

Accepted Answer

Companies that use "point-rewards" are using a token economy technique, where customers receive tokens (points) for successful behaviors (such as making a purchase or referring a friend) that can eventually be exchanged for a reward.

Question 16

In order to address the concerns raised by thoughts and perceptions,behavioral strategies have become increasingly combined with ____.

Accepted Answer

Behavioral strategies have become increasingly combined with cognitive therapy to address the concerns raised by thoughts and perceptions. This approach is called cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented psychotherapy that is effective in treating a variety of mental health disorders. It helps individuals identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to their problems. CBT is based on the idea that our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are interconnected, and that changing one of these can lead to improvements in the others.

Question 17

Because behavioral strategies do not address the thoughts and perceptions associated with behavior,____ is increasingly used in conjunction with behavioral methods.

Accepted Answer

Behavioral strategies focus on changing overt behavior, while cognitive therapy focuses on changing the individual's thoughts and perceptions associated with behavior. By addressing both behavior and thoughts, cognitive therapy can provide more comprehensive and effective treatment. Therefore, cognitive therapy is increasingly used in conjunction with behavioral methods.

Question 18

Kitchell's son is throwing an absolute fit at the pool.He screams and stamps his feet.Kitchell ignores him,all the other parents ignore him,and so do his friends.Eventually his tantrum stops.Kitchell has used which operant conditioning strategy?

Accepted Answer

Kitchell is not giving any attention or response to his son's tantrums, which is an example of nonreinforcement. He is neither rewarding his behavior nor punishing him, but instead, ignoring it altogether.

Question 19

The therapy developed by Albert Ellis is called ____.

Accepted Answer

The therapy developed by Albert Ellis is called rational-emotive therapy (RET), which focuses on identifying and changing irrational beliefs that lead to negative emotions and behaviors.

Question 20

Aversion therapy has been used as a therapy for ____.

Accepted Answer

Aversion therapy has been used as a therapy for gambling addiction. It involves pairing the addictive behavior with a negative stimulus, such as an electric shock, in order to create an aversion to that behavior. It is not commonly used as a therapy for schizophrenia, depression or bipolar disorder.

Quiz 14: Mental Health Therapies