Classical Conditioning
A therapist repeatedly pairs the sound of a bell with relaxation training for a client with anxiety. Eventually, the bell alone makes the client feel calm. What is the bell considered?
What is Conditioned stimulus
The bell becomes a conditioned stimulus after being paired with relaxation (the unconditioned stimulus).
A teen receives praise each time they complete homework. What type of reinforcement is this?
What is Positive reinforcement?
Praise adds a positive consequence that increases the desired behavior.
A child starts using polite words after hearing their parent say “please” and “thank you.” What process explains this?
What is Modeling?
The child learns behavior through observation and imitation.
A therapist assigns relaxation practice between sessions. This is an example of what type of intervention?
What is "Behavioral homework"
Behavioral assignments promote skill generalization outside of sessions.
A client with OCD washes hands 20 times to relieve anxiety. The relief they feel reinforces the behavior. What kind of reinforcement is this?
What is Negative reinforcement?
The anxiety is removed (negative stimulus), reinforcing handwashing
A child begins to fear white coats after receiving multiple painful shots from a doctor wearing one. What process has occurred?
What is Generalization
The fear response has generalized to similar stimuli (white coats).
A child stops whining when a parent gives candy. The parent’s behavior is maintained by what?
What is Negative reinforcement?
The parent removes the aversive whining, reinforcing the giving of candy.
A teen watches an older sibling get praised for studying and starts doing the same. What influenced the behavior?
What is Vicarious reinforcement?
The teen observes someone else being rewarded and imitates the behavior.
A social worker helps a client identify and challenge irrational beliefs. What technique is being used?
What is Cognitive restructuring?
Cognitive restructuring involves challenging and changing distorted thoughts.
A teacher ignores a child’s tantrum to reduce attention-seeking. What behavior principle is being used?
What is Extinction?
Removing reinforcement (attention) decreases the undesired behavior.
A dog salivates when food is presented. This salivation is an example of what type of response.
What is Unconditioned response?
The natural, unlearned reaction to food is an unconditioned response.
A student loses recess privileges after being disruptive. What type of consequence is this
What is Negative punishment?
A desired activity (recess) is removed to decrease unwanted behavior.
According to Bandura, learning occurs through observation plus what key factor?
What is Cognitive processing?
Bandura emphasized that internal mental processes mediate learning
A therapist asks a client to record automatic thoughts when feeling anxious. What tool is being used?
What is Thought record?
Thought records help clients monitor and challenge maladaptive cognitions
A client gradually faces fear of elevators starting with looking at pictures, then visiting the building. What approach is this?
What is Systematic desensitization?
Gradual exposure paired with relaxation to reduce anxiety.
A client overcomes a phobia by being repeatedly exposed to a feared object without negative consequences. What is this process called?
What is Extinction?
The conditioned fear response weakens when the stimulus no longer predicts harm.
A client receives a token each time they attend therapy. What type of system is this?
What is Token economy?
Tokens act as secondary reinforcers exchangeable for rewards.
A therapist encourages a client to visualize themselves successfully using new coping skills. Which concept is this?
What is Self-efficacy?
Belief in one’s ability to succeed in specific situations.
A client overestimates the likelihood of negative events. What distortion is present?
What is Catastrophizing?
The client magnifies the potential for disaster beyond realistic expectations.
A social worker introduces rewards for consistent therapy attendance. Which theory underlies this?
What is Operant conditioning?
Attendance is increased through reinforcement.
A social worker uses relaxation techniques to counteract anxiety triggers. This is an example of what behavioral technique?
What is Counterconditioning?
Counterconditioning replaces the anxiety response with a relaxation response to the same stimulus.
A supervisor provides immediate feedback after each session note. This schedule of reinforcement is:
What is Continuous reinforcement?
Every correct behavior (note completion) receives reinforcement.
A client practices assertiveness after seeing a role-play video. Which step of observational learning is being demonstrated?
What is Reproduction?
The client is translating observation into actual behavior.
A client says, “If I make one mistake, I’m a total failure.” This is an example of what cognitive distortion?
What is All-or-nothing thinking?
The client interprets events in black-and-white categories.
A therapist helps a client learn assertiveness by modeling and then practicing in session. What two theories are being combined?
What is Social learning + behavioral rehearsal (CBT)?
Learning through observation plus skill practice reinforces new behavior.