Fill in the Blanks
The core dialectic of DBT is learning how to balance acceptance and ____________.
change
What does dialectical mean?
There is always more than one way to see a situation and more than one way to solve a problem.
Define validation [of others]
Validation communicates to another person that his or her feelings, thoughts, and actions make sense and are understandable to you in a particular situation.
What are some examples of healthy behaviors/habits to increase?
exercising, saving money, going to school, doing homework.
Define Self-Validation
Self-validation involves perceiving your own feelings, thoughts and actions as making sense, accurate and acceptable in a particular situation.
DBT says that __________ is the only constant in life.
change
What does this perspective teach us? (purpose of dialectics)
It allows us to:
Expand our thoughts and ways of considering life situations.
Unstick standoffs and conflicts.
Be more flexible and approaching.
Avoid assumptions and blaming.
Define Invalidation [of others]
Invalidation communicated (intentionally or not, through words or actions) that another person's feelings, thoughts and actions in a particular situation make no sense, are manipulative, stupid or an overreaction, or not worthy of your time, interest or respect.
What is a reinforcer?
Reinforcers are consequences that result in an increase in a behavior. They provide information to a person about what you want them to do.
Validation DOES NOT equal ____________.
Validation DOES NOT equal agreement.
In dialectics, two things that seem like __________ can both be true.
opposites
What is an example of being dialectical?
"I am doing the best I can AND I need to do better, try harder, and be more motivated to change."
Why do we validate?
Validation improves relationships. It can decrease conflict and intense emotions. It shows that we are listening, we understand, and we are being nonjudgmental.
What is positive and negative reinforcement?
Positive Reinforcement: increases the frequency of a behavior by providing a "rewarding" consequence.
Negative Reinforcement: Increases the frequency of a behaviors by removing something negative; it is a relief from something unpleasant.
What do we validate?
Feelings, thoughts and behaviors in ourselves and others.
The ____________________ thinking mistake means that you make a sweeping, negative conclusion that goes far beyond the current situation. "Since I felt uncomfortable in my first day of class, I know that I won’t be able to enjoy the rest of the year."
overgeneralization
Name four hints/steps for thinking and acting dialectically.
1. Move to both/and thinking.
2. Practice looking at all side of the situation.
3. Remember there are no absolute truths.
4. Use I feel statements.
5. Accept that different opinions can be valid.
6. Check your assumptions.
7. Do not expect others to know what you are thinking.
Explain "automatic negative judgements" in relation to validation.
"Automatic negative judgements" are spontaneous, often subconscious, pessimistic evaluations of a situation, a person, or oneself.
In relation to validation, the act of acknowledging and accepting emotions as understandable, these judgments act as roadblocks that prevent people from validating themselves or others
What is extinction?
Extinction reduces a behavior by withholding previous reinforcement. What attention is reinforcing, ignore the unwanted behavior.
What does it mean to validate the valid and not the invalid? Give an example.
You can still validate the feeling without validating the behavior. For example: validate someone feeling upset about a low test grade, even though you know he or she didn't study, but don't validate the lack of studying that led to the low grade.
Some examples of the _________________ thinking mistake are:
If you're not perfect, you're a total loser. If you don’t get everything you want, it feels like you got nothing. If you’re having a good day, the whole rest of your life is perfect and you don't need therapy anymore.
ALL-OR-NOTHING
or
BLACK-AND-WHITE THINKING
What is the primary dialectic in DBT?
Acceptance (you are perfect as you are)
AND
Change (you need to change)
Name the three main components of self-validation, and give an example.
1. Acknowledging: name what you are feeling without judgement
2. Allowing: remind yourself that it it okay to to experience any emotion.
3. Understanding: try to think about the objective facts that led to the feelings
What is punishment?
Punishment is a consequence that results in a decrease in behavior. It tells another person what you don't want him or her to do.
What are the three dialectical dilemmas for parents/caregivers?
Too loose <-> Too strict
Fostering dependence <-> Forcing independence
Making light of problem behaviors <-> Making too much of typical adolescent behavior