BEHAVIOURAL APPROACHES AND TECHNIQUES TO COUNSELING
4.0 Introduction
4.1 Learning Outcomes
4.2 Behavioral approaches and techniques to counseling
4.3 Self-Assessment Questions
4.4References
3.1 Introduction
Behavioral counseling is based on learning theory. Its fundamental assumption is that all
behavior is learned and therefore can be changed by implementing strategies to produce new
learning. The personality is regarded as the product of accumulated learning.
The purpose of behavioral counseling is to change ineffective and self-defeating behavior , and
only measurable behavior change is regarded as evidence of successful counseling.
Generally, behavioural conselors do not regard hypothetical concepts about mental functioning,
such as the unconscious, as important to the counseling process. Self-understanding is not an
outcome goal.
No single author is credited with the development of behavioural counseling. Joseph Wolpe’s
(1985) work on reciprocal inhibition applied the principles of classical conditioning to changing
neurotic behavior.
B.F.Skinner (1971) is widely recognized for his work on operant conditioning techniques used
in behavioral counseling, although he was not a therapist himself.
Together with modeling, operant conditioning and classical conditioning are the principal
methods employed in behavioral counseling.
Interest in behavioral methods increased during the late 1960s when people became disenchanted
with Rogerian methods as a predominant approach to counseling.
More recently, narrowly conceived behavioral approaches have declined in popularity and some
behavioral counselors have turned their attention to the thought processes that mediate behavior,
blending their work into that of cognitive counselors.
Lazarus (1989) described a broad array of behavior techniques, each of which provides clients
with new opportunities for learning strategies of self-management.
1
4.0 Introduction
4.1 Learning Outcomes
4.2 Behavioral approaches and techniques to counseling
4.3 Self-Assessment Questions
4.4References
3.1 Introduction
Behavioral counseling is based on learning theory. Its fundamental assumption is that all
behavior is learned and therefore can be changed by implementing strategies to produce new
learning. The personality is regarded as the product of accumulated learning.
The purpose of behavioral counseling is to change ineffective and self-defeating behavior , and
only measurable behavior change is regarded as evidence of successful counseling.
Generally, behavioural conselors do not regard hypothetical concepts about mental functioning,
such as the unconscious, as important to the counseling process. Self-understanding is not an
outcome goal.
No single author is credited with the development of behavioural counseling. Joseph Wolpe’s
(1985) work on reciprocal inhibition applied the principles of classical conditioning to changing
neurotic behavior.
B.F.Skinner (1971) is widely recognized for his work on operant conditioning techniques used
in behavioral counseling, although he was not a therapist himself.
Together with modeling, operant conditioning and classical conditioning are the principal
methods employed in behavioral counseling.
Interest in behavioral methods increased during the late 1960s when people became disenchanted
with Rogerian methods as a predominant approach to counseling.
More recently, narrowly conceived behavioral approaches have declined in popularity and some
behavioral counselors have turned their attention to the thought processes that mediate behavior,
blending their work into that of cognitive counselors.
Lazarus (1989) described a broad array of behavior techniques, each of which provides clients
with new opportunities for learning strategies of self-management.
1
