Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Behavior Therapy

  • Chapter
Advanced Abnormal Psychology

  • 401 Accesses

Abstract

Behavior therapy is a treatment strategy, guided by learning theory, that emphasizes functional behavior-environment relationships. Its primary goals are to enhance adaptive behaviors and eliminate or reduce maladaptive behaviors in daily life. Maladaptive functioning, whether motor, cognitive, or physiological, is conceptualized as the product of faulty learning. Thus, behavior therapists attempt to treat behavioral problems by functionally assessing and modifying environmental contingencies that foster and maintain them. Since its inception, behavior therapy has been used to address a variety of different issues, including psychological disorders, child maltreatment, behavioral health, and prevention efforts, among others (Hersen & Ammerman, 1989).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Achenbach, T. M. (1974). Developmental psychopathology. New York: Ronald Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Achenbach, T. M. (1991). Manual for the Child Behavior Checklist. Burlington, VT: Author.

    Google Scholar 

  • Achenbach, T. M, & Edelbrock, C. S. (1978). The classification of child psychopathology: A review and analysis of empirical effects. Psychological Bulletin, 85, 1275–1301.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Achenbach, T. M., & Edelbrock, C. S. (1979). The Child Behavior Profile II. Boys aged 12, 16, and girls aged 6-11 and 12-16. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 47, 223–233.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Achenbach, T. M., & Edelbrock, C. S. (1981). Behavioral problems and competencies reported by parents of normal and disturbed children aged four through sixteen. Monographs of the society for research in child development, 461 (no. 188).

    Google Scholar 

  • Achenbach, T. M., & Edelbrock, C. S. (1983). Manual for the child behavior checklist and revised child behavior profile. Burlington: University of Vermont Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Allen, J. S., Jr., Tarnowski, K. J., Simonian, S. J., Elliott, D., & Drabman, R. S. (1991). The generalization map revisited: Assessment of generalized treatment effects in child and adolescent behavior therapy. Behavior Therapy, 22, 393–405.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • American Psychiatric Association. (1994). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, 4th ed. Washington, DC: Author.

    Google Scholar 

  • Azar, S. T., & Wolfe, D. A. (1998). Child physical abuse and neglect. In E. J. Mash and R. A. Barkley (Eds.), Treatment of childhood disorders, 2nd ed. (pp. 501–544). New York: Guilford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bandura, A. (1977). Social learning theory. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barrios, B. A., & O’Dell, S. L. (1998). Fears and anxieties. In E. J. Mash and R. A. Barkley (Eds.), Treatment of childhood disorders, 2nd ed. (pp. 249–337). New York: Guilford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Belter, R. W, & Grisso, T. (1984). Children’s recognition of rights violations in counseling. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 15, 899–910.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bierman, K. L., & Greenberg, M. T. (1996). Social skills training in the FAST Track program. In R. D. Peters and R. J. McMahon (Eds.), Preventing childhood disorders, substance abuse, and delinquency (pp. 65–89). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brestan, E. v., & Eyberg, S. M. (1998). Effective psychosocial treatments of conduct-disordered children and adolescents: 29 years, 82 studies, and 5,272 kids. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 27, 180–189.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Briesmeister, J. M., & Schaefer, C. E. (1998). Handbook of parent training: Parents as co-therapists for children’s behavior problems. New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chorpita, B. F. (1997a). Children, promises, and behavior therapy: Commentary on“behavior therapy’s promise for child treatment: Where we’ve been, where we may be going.” Behavior Therapy, 28, 543–546.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chorpita, B. F. (1997b). Since the opérant chamber: Is behavior therapy still thinking in boxes? Behavior Therapy, 28, 577–583.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Craighead, W. E., Meyers, A. W., & Wilcoxon Craighead, L. (1985). A conceptual model for cognitive-behavior therapy with children. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 13, 331–342.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cornwall, E., Spence, S. H., & Schotte, D. (1997). The effectiveness of emotive imagery in the treatment of darkness phobia in children. Behaviour Change, 13, 223–229.

    Google Scholar 

  • Donohue, B., Ammerman, R. T., & Zelis, K. (1998). Child physical abuse and neglect. In T. S. Watson and F. M. Gresham (Eds.), Handbook of child behavior therapy (pp. 183–202). New York: Plenum.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Ducharme, J. M., & Popynick, M. (1993). Errorless compliance to parental requests: Treatment effects and generalization. Behavior Therapy, 24, 209–226.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ducharme, J. M., & Worling, D. E. (1994). Behavioral momentum and stimulus fading in the acquisition and maintenance of child compliance in the home. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 27, 639–647.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Eisenberger, R., & Cameron, J. (1996). Detrimental effects of reward: Reality or myth? American Psychologist, 51, 1153–1166.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Forehand, R., & McMahon, R. J. (1981). Helping the noncompliant child: A clinician’s guide to parent training. New York: Guilford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Foxx, R. M. & Azrin, N. H. (1973). The elimination of autistic self-stimulatory behavior by overcorrection. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 6(1), 1–14.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Francis, G. (1988). Childhood obsessive-compulsive disorder: Extinction of compulsive reassurance-seeking. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 2, 361–366.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Francis, G., & Beidel, D. C. (1995). Cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy. In J. S. March (Ed.), Anxiety disorders in children and adolescents (pp. 321–340). New York: Guilford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Frick, P. J. (1998). Conduct disorders and severe antisocial behavior. New York: Plenum.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Funderburk, B. W., Eyberg, S. M., Newcomb, K., McNeil, C. B., Hembree-Kigin, T., & Capage, L. (1998). Parentchild interaction therapy with behavior problem children: Maintenance of treatment effects in the school setting. Child and Family Behavior Therapy, 20(2), 17–38.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goldstein, G. (1979). Methodological and theoretical issues in neuropsychological assessment. Journal of Behavioral Assessment, 1, 23–41.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gustafson, K. E., & McNamara, R. (1995). Confidentiality with minor clients: Issues and guidelines with therapists. In D. N. Bersoff (Ed.), Ethical conflicts in psychology (pp. 193–197). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hagopian, L. P., & Ollendick, T. H. (1997). Anxiety disorders. In R. T. Ammerman & M. Hersen (Eds.), Handbook of prevention and treatment with children and adolescents: Interventions in the real world context (pp. 431–454). New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Handen, B. L. (1998). Mental retardation. In E. J. Mash & R. A. Barkley (Eds.), Treatment of childhood disorders, 2nd ed. (pp. 369–415). New York: Guilford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hart, K. J., & Morgan, J. R. (1993). Cognitive-behavioral procedures with children: Historical context and current status. In A. J. Finch, W. M. Nelson, III, & F. S. Ott (Eds.), Cognitive-behavioral procedures with children and adolescents: A practical guide (pp. 1–24). Boston: Allyn & Bacon.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hembree-Kigin, T. L., & McNeil, C. B. (1995). Parent-child interaction therapy. New York: Plenum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hersen, M., & Ammerman, R. T. (1989). Overview of new developments in child behavior therapy. In M. Hersen (Ed.), Innovations in child behavior therapy (pp. 3–31). New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hersen, M., & Last, C. G. (1988). How the field has moved on. In M. Hersen & C. G. Last (Eds.), Child behavior therapy casebook (pp. 1–10). New York: Plenum.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Hersen, M., & Van Hasselt, V. B. (1987). Developments and emerging trends. In M. Hersen & V. B. Van Hasselt (Eds.), Behavior therapy with children and adolescents. A clinical approach (pp. 3–28). New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Horton, A. M., & Miller, W. G. (1985). Neuropsychology and behavior therapy. In M. Hersen, R. M. Eisler, & P. M. Miller (Eds.), Progress in behavior modification. Vol. 19 (pp. 1–55). New York: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaser-Boyd, N., Adelman, H., & Taylor, L. (1985). Minors’ ability to identify risks and benefits of therapy. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 16, 411–417.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kaslow, N. J., & Thompson, M. P. (1998). Applying the criteria for empirically supported treatments to studies of psychosocial interventions for child and adolescent depression. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 27, 146–155.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kazdin, A. E. (1974). Covert modeling, model similarity, and reduction of avoidance behavior. Behavior Therapy, 5, 325–340.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kazdin, A. E. (1989). Behavior modification in applied settings, 3rd éd. Homewood, IL: Dorsey.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kazdin, A. E., Bass, D., Siegel, T., & Thomas, C. (1989). Cognitive-behavioral therapy and relationship therapy in the treatment of children referred for antisocial behavior. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 57, 522–535.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kazdin, A. E., & Kendall, P. C. (1998). Current progress and future plans for developing effective treatments: Comments and perspectives. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 27(2), 217–226.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kearney, C. A., & Tillotson, C. A. (1998). School attendance. In T. S. Watson & F. M. Gresham (Eds.), Handbook of child behavior therapy (pp. 143–162). New York: Plenum.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Kendall, P. C. (1993). Cognitive-behavior therapies with youth: Guiding theory, current status, and emerging developments. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 61, 235–247.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kendall, P. C, & Braswell, L. (1985). Cognitive-behavior therapy for impulsive children. New York: Guilford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kendall, P. C, & Panichelli-Mindel, S. M. (1995). Cognitive-behavioral treatments. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 23(1), 107–124.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kendall, P. C, & Southam-Gerow, M. A. (1996). Long-term follow-up of a cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxietydisordered youth. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 64, 724–730.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Knell, S. M. (1993). Cognitive-behavioral play therapy. Northvale, NJ: Jason Aronson.

    Google Scholar 

  • Knox, L. S., Albano, A. M., & Barlow, D. H. (1996). Parental involvement in the treatment of childhood obsessive compulsive disorder: A multiple baseline examination incorporating parents. Behavior Therapy, 27, 93–115.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Koeppen, A. S. (1974). Relaxation training for children. Elementary School Guidance and Counseling, 9, 14–21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lalli, J. S., & Kates, K. (1998). The effect of reinforcer preference on functional analysis outcomes. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 31(1), 79–90.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Last, C. G. (1989). Anxiety disorders. In T. H. Ollendick & M. Hersen (Eds.), Handbook of child psychopathology, 2nd ed. (pp. 219–228). New York: Plenum.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Laurent, J., & Potter, K. L. (1998). Anxiety-related difficulties. In T. S. Watson & F. M. Gresham (Eds.), Handbook of child behavior therapy (pp. 371–392). New York: Plenum.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Lazarus, A. A., & Abramovitz, A. (1962). The use of emotive imagery in the treatment of children’s phobias. Journal of Mental Science, 108, 191–195.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lewinsohn, P. M., Clarke, G. N., Hops, H., & Andrews, J. (1990). Cognitive-behavioral treatment for depressed adolescents. Behavior Therapy, 21, 385–401.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lochman, J. E. (1992). Cognitive-behavior intervention with aggressive boys: Three-year follow-up and preventive effects. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 60, 426–432.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lochman, J. E., & Wells, K. C. (1996). A social-cognitive intervention with aggressive children: Prevention effects and contextual implementation issues. In R. D. Peters & R. J. McMahon (Eds.), Preventing childhood disorders, substance abuse, and delinquency (pp. 111–143). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lonigan, C. J., Elbert, J. C, & Johnson, S. B. (1998). Empirically-supported psychosocial interventions for children: An overview. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 27, 138–145.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Luciano, M. C, Molina, F. J., Gomez, I., & Herruzo, J. (1993). Response prevention and contingency management in the treatment of nocturnal enuresis: A report of two cases. Child and Family Behavior Therapy, 15(1), 37–51.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Luria, A. R. (1959). The directive function of speech development and dissolution. Word, 15, 341–352.

    Google Scholar 

  • Luria, A. R. (1961). The role of speech in the regulation of normal and abnormal behaviors. New York: Liveright.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lutzker, J. R., Huynen, K. B., & Bigelow, K. M. (1998). Parent training. In V. B. Van Hasselt and M. Hersen (Eds.), Handbook of psychological treatment protocols for children and adolescents (pp. 467–500). Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • March, J. S. (1995). Cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy for children and adolescents with OCD: A review and recommendations for treatment. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 34(1), 7–18.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Matson, J. L. (1983). Exploration of phobic behavior in a small child. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 14, 257–260.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Meichenbaum, D. H. (1972). Examination of model characteristics in reducing avoidance behavior. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 3, 225–227.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meichenbaum, D. H., & Goodman, J. (1971). Training impulsive children to talk to themselves: A means of developing self-control. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 77, 115–126.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Morris, R. J., & Kratochwill, T. R. (1991). Childhood fears and phobias. In T. R. Kratochwill & R. J. Morris (Eds.), The practice of child therapy, 2nd ed. (pp. 76–114). New York: Pergamon.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nelson, R. O. (1980). The use of intelligence tests within behavioral assessment. Behavioral Assessment, 2, 417–423.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nelson, R. O., & Hayes, S. C. (1981). The nature of behavioral assessment. In M. Hersen & A. S. Bellack (Eds.), Behavioral assessment, 2nd ed. (pp. 3–33). New York: Pergamon.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ollendick, T. H. (1995). Cognitive-behavioral treatment of panic disorder with agoraphobia in adolescents: A multiple baseline design analysis. Behavior Therapy, 26, 517–531.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ollendick, T. H., & Hersen, M. (1984). Child behavioral assessment: Principles and procedures. New York: Pergamon Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ollendick, T. H., & King, N. J. (1998). Empirically supported treatments for children with phobic and anxiety disorders: Current status. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 27, 156–167.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Parrish, J. M. (1997). Behavior management: Promoting adaptive behavior. In M. L. Batshaw (Ed.), Children with disabilities, 4th ed. (pp. 657–686). Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes.

    Google Scholar 

  • Patterson, G. R. (1982). Coercive family process. Eugene, OR: Castalia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pelham, W. E., Jr., Wheeler, T, & Chronis, A. (1998). Empirically supported psychosocial treatments for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 27, 190–205.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Peterson, L. (1997). Behavior therapy’s promise for child treatment: Where we’ve been, where we may be going. Behavior Therapy, 28, 531–541.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reitman, D., & Drabman, R. S. (1996). Read my fingertips: A procedure for enhancing effectiveness of time-out with argumentative children. Child and Family Behavior Therapy, 18(2), 35–40.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Repp, A. C, & Karsh, K. G. (1994). Hypothesis-based intervention for tantrum behaviors of persons with developmental disabilities in school settings. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 27(1), 21–31.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Reynolds, L. K., & Kelley, M. L. (1997). The efficacy of a response cost-based treatment package for managing aggressive behavior in preschoolers. Behavior Modification, 21(2), 216–230.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rogers, S. J. (1998). Empirically supported comprehensive treatments for young children with autism. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 27, 168–179.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ronen, T., & Wozner, Y. (1995). A self-control intervention package for the treatment of primary nocturnal enuresis. Child and Family Behavior Therapy, 17(1), 1–20.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schuhmann, E. M., Foote, R. C, Eyberg, S. M., Boggs, S. R., & Algina, J. (1998). Efficacy of parent-child interaction therapy: Interim report of a randomized trial with short-term maintenance. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 27, 34–45.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Screenivasan, U., Manocha, S. N., & Jain, V. K. (1979). Treatment of severe dog phobia in childhood by flooding: A case report. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 20, 255–260.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Serketich, W. J., & Dumas, J. E. (1996). The effectiveness of behavioral parent training to modify antisocial behavior in children: A meta-analysis. Behavior Therapist, 27, 171–186.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Silverman, W. K., & Eisen, A. R. (1993). Phobic disorders. In R. T. Ammerman, C. G. Last, & M. Hersen (Eds.), Handbook of prescriptive treatments of children and adolescents (pp. 178–197). Boston: Allyn & Bacon.

    Google Scholar 

  • Slifer, K. J., Cataldo, M. D., & Kurtz, P. F. (1998). Behavioural training during acute brain trauma rehabilitation: An empirical case study. Brain Injury, 9, 585–593.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Spence, S. H. (1994). Practitioner review: Cognitive therapy with children and adolescents: From theory to practice. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 35, 1191–1228.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Strumpf, J. A., & Fodor, I. (1993). The treatment of test anxiety in elementary school-age children: Review and recommendations. Journal of Child and Family Behavior Therapy, 15(4), 19–42.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thorpe, G. L., & Olson, S. L. (1997). Behavior therapy and its origins. Behavior therapy: Concepts, procedures, and applications, 2nd ed. (pp. 5–30) Boston: Allyn & Bacon.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vernberg, E. M. (1998). Developmentally-based psychotherapies: Comments and observations. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 27, 46–48.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Watson, T. S., & Gresham, F. M. (1998). Current issues in child behavior therapy. In T. S. Watson & F. M. Gresham (Eds.), Handbook of child behavior therapy (pp. 499–504). New York: Plenum.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Weisz, J. R., Donenberg, G. R., Han, S. S., & Weiss, B. (1995). Bridging the gap between laboratory and clinic in child and adolescent psychotherapy. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 63(5), 688–701.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Weithorn, L. A. (1980). Competency to render informed treatment decisions: A comparison of certain minors and adults. Dissertation Abstracts International, 42, 3449B–3450B.

    Google Scholar 

  • Williams, M. A., & Gross, A. M. (1994). Behavior therapy. In V. B. Hasselt & M. Hersen (Eds.), Advanced abnormal psychology (pp. 419–441). New York: Guilford.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Yule, W., Sacks, B., and Hersov, L. (1974). Successful flooding treatment of a noise phobia in an 11-year-old. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 5, 209–211.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi, 38677, USA

    Lisa W. Coyne & Alan M. Gross

Authors
  1. Lisa W. Coyne
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Alan M. Gross
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Pacific University, Forest Grove, Oregon, USA

    Michel Hersen

  2. Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA

    Vincent B. Van Hasselt

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2001 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Coyne, L.W., Gross, A.M. (2001). Behavior Therapy. In: Hersen, M., Van Hasselt, V.B. (eds) Advanced Abnormal Psychology. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-8497-5_23

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-8497-5_23

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-4631-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4419-8497-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation