Bethany is attempting to quit smoking. She has tried many times, and decides to see a therapist. Her therapist and Bethany decide that each week, she will decrease the amount of cigarettes Bethany smokes by five. When she meets her goal two weeks in a row, Bethany can reward herself with a shopping trip where she spends $50 on a personal item. If she does not meet the goal, she does not get to shop. Bethany's therapist is utilizing ________.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Bethany and her therapist have established a behavioral contract, which outlines specific behavioral goals and rewards for meeting those goals. The contract is a form of behavioral therapy, where positive reinforcement is used to modify behavior. The use of rewards (shopping trip) for meeting goals (decreasing amount of cigarettes smoked) is a key element of the behavioral contracting approach.

Bethany Is Attempting to Quit Smoking