Pioneers in Behavioural Therapy Theory: The Work of Ivan Pavlov and B f Skinner

Behavioural therapy is an intensive field of research for many scientists. They have spent a lifetime studying and generating theories in this field. Over the last one hundred years there have been many major developments from scientists working all around the world. Two well-known scientists, Ivan Pavlov and B.f. Skinner have given us some of the most interesting of all of these theories. There are a large number of people who have heard of Ivan Pavlov and the contributions he has made to the field of behavioral therapy. This article will discuss in greater detail the theories that were introduced as well as some of the methods used to treat anxiety in patients.

If you are not totally familiar with behavioural theory you should first know that the most basic principle is that by focussing on our acts we can then show the reasons and motivations which led to our behaviours and the actions we take. If we take a look at human behaviour in general it is then possible to focus on specific behaviours which generate a state of anxiety in a person. One of the main challenges in treating anxiety disorders is that there is such a variety in the range of behaviours which cause anxiety. The diverse nature of these causes was an issue since it prevented therapists from formulating a way to deal with the anxious state in such a way that it would be effective in the majority of patients.

The benefit of behavioural therapy is that was developed by including all of the minor causes of anxiety instead of focussing only on the major causes. Behavioural therapy takes into account a range of different disorders including phobias and their impact, obsessive-compulsive disorders and eating disorders. Each of these conditions can all contribute to an overall state of anxiety if trigger circumstances are present. One of the drawbacks of previous therapy methods was that they were unable to address their research and present findings in terms of clinical and definitive proof. Behavioural theory could not only be proven using available research data but it also introduced treatment methods which was a huge breakthrough.

There is one major asset that behaviour therapy has: it is very simple for people suffering from anxiety disorders to utilize the treatment methods that were developed. Mental illness can be a highly individualised condition. However it is safe to generalise somewhat by saying people tend to take on some anxiety of their own accord and then use maladaptive methods to deal with the resulting anxious state. Treatment methods developed in behaviour therapy involve removing the negative feelings and replacing them with positive emotions and associations. Mental imagery plays a key role in this.

In behavioural therapy people suffering from anxiety disorders are urged to relax and take a deep breath as an initial response to an anxiety inducing situation. Mental imagery is used in order to build a lower-stress state and increase positive emotions and feelings. Patients are urged to picture that they are in a safe place in order to decrease anxiety.

One common method of treating anxiety is to reduce fear by exposing them to the anxiety causing stimulus on an increasing level of frequency. This method can play a significant role in decreasing anxiety levels and replace negative associations with positive behaviours. In the beginning stages of this treatment method a large array of relaxation techniques are used, much as they were in previous styles of therapy. Once relaxation techniques are learned the patient is then sent to exposure therapy. As a patient becomes accustomed to the fear-causing stimulus they learn that they are able to handle the situation. It helps on a cascading level as well. By showing the patient they can tolerate the source of their anxiety in increasing amounts it gives the patient confidence in their ability to handle the particular situation. This is known as the hierarchical method.

One of the methods introduced in conjunction with the theory behind behaviour therapy is flooding. This is a method which is offered to those patients who do not want, or who do not respond to, a hierarchical method of treatment. Instead of gradually building up the level of exposure a patient is taken to an extreme level of the situation which causes the anxiety. The patient learns to deal with the situation in such a way that it no longer causes them to become anxious. This may be accomplished through the use of behaviour modification techniques.

Behaviour modification teaches a person to increase or decrease their behaviour in response to different situations and stimuli. Different environmental situations are introduced as well so that the patient can face their triggers and deal with it positively and constructively. This helps the patient avoid the possibility of developing obsessive or compulsive behaviours.

Behavioural theory is often used in conjunction with other types of therapy in order to treat the whole patient. Many people have used different aspects of this therapy method and have found it to be extremely effective. In fact, so much further research and innovation has come from behavioural theory that it could be considered a cornerstone of other modern therapeutic methods.

When someone undergoes behavioural therapy the steps that they can and will take are laid out and it is then up to the patient which method (hierarchical or flooding) they will use in their treatment. This treatment method works equally well for major mental issues or minor compulsions such as biting nails. It can be equally effective for either.

Ivan Pavlov was given a Nobel Prize for his research. Learning about this therapy method and how to apply it to our own lives is something that would benefit us all.