Contents
The behavioral approach is used in different areas — both in psychotherapy and in training, and it is necessary to compare effectiveness not in general, but in specific areas, in relation to different categories of clients and take into account costs — time and financial.
Note that we are talking about the behavioral approach, and not about the behavioral approach more broadly. The behavioral approach, as having in its arsenal everything that is in the behavioral approach, plus using additional features, has more potential and is more effective. See →
Generally speaking, the behavioral approach has about the same effectiveness as other approaches. This is a tool that is indispensable in some cases and not quite suitable for other situations.
Limitations of the behavioral approach
Conditioning methods are not magic, they have their drawbacks and their limitations.
- Behavior or symptom?
What is removed by conditioning is sometimes a symptom of something more serious and deeper. Drug addicts and alcoholics are not just behavior, they are values and a way of life. In such cases, the cure is short-lived, there may be returns and repetitions.
- The role of customer interest
If the patient is interested in a cure, the efficiency is higher. However, this is typical for any approach, not only behavioral. Note that it is precisely in the behavioral approach that the moment of client’s interest plays a lesser role than in other approaches.
- Negative reinforcements often turn into negative manipulations.
«If you don’t call me today, I’m going to have a heart attack.» However, this is outside of professional work.
Methods of behavioral therapy and their effectiveness
The behavioral approach is more suitable for simple cases of psychotherapy: getting rid of standard phobias (fears), unwanted habits, the formation of desirable behavior. In complex, confusing, «personal» cases, the use of behavioral methods gives a short-term effect. There are historical preferences: America prefers behavioral approaches to all others, in Russia behaviorism is not honored. See →
Methods of behavioral therapy and their effectiveness
Model presentation therapy is used to treat anxiety and fears. An anxious person is shown how confident people behave in a problem situation, and they are offered to reproduce, repeat this behavior. In addition, the psychologist can explain ways to get out of an alarming situation, adequate speech responses, and, if necessary, develop the skill of using these means.