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CHAPTER 12 Behavioral and Cognitive-Behavioral Models The…
CHAPTER 12 Behavioral and Cognitive-Behavioral Models
The Cognitive Viewpoint
235. Select a family problem you have discussed earlier in this journal and restate it in cognitive-behavioral terms.
236. Cognitive psychologists pay special attention to how individuals organize, store, and process information. Consider a problem you may have had for a long time and describe it at these three levels: automatic thoughts, underlying assumptions, and schemas or basic core beliefs.
237. Dysfunctional behavior is said by Ellis to be a result of our flawed or illogical interpretation of the behavior of others. Use the concept of cognitive restructuring to deal with a problem you are currently having with someone. Make a new self-statement.
238. Is there a “negative schema” acquired in your childhood that has been reactivated recently? Describe.
239. Cognitive behaviorists stress the importance of self-regulation and self-direction in altering behavior. What would be the pros and cons of this approach for you and your family?
240. Describe an incident where you heard one side of a story, then were startled later by hearing the other side. How did you resolve the disparity?
241. Think of a time when you had a long conversation with someone about something important (or, if you keep a journal, look up an entry in which you write about something important). See if you can identify an example of each of the following cognitive distortions. List the example, and then consider how you might think differently about what you’ve written.
a. arbitrary inferences
b. overgeneralizations
c. dichotomous thinking
d. biased explanations
The Behavioral Viewpoint
242. Try to shape someone’s behavior by giving that person positive reinforcement (a smile, a kiss, a gift, attention) whenever desired behavior occurs, while ignoring undesired behavior. Continue to do so for seven days. Describe your results and draw conclusions.
243. Behaviorists sometimes use the phrase “quid pro quo” (something for something) to describe how couples in successful marriages work out suitable arrangements for exchanging pleasures. Take a look at your parents (or an uncle and aunt), identify an example of a quid pro quo between them and describe the range and frequency of reciprocal positive reinforcements they exchange.
244. Make a “caring days” list with a significant other in your life, of kind actions and words you would like to receive from one another. Be specific in your requests and ask the other person to be the same. Exchange the lists. After one week, note any changes in the relationship.
245. Were there any surprises in the “caring days” requests you received in the preceding exercise? How did such unexpected requests alter your perception of the relationship and/or change your subsequent behavior?
246. Where did your parents’ marriage fall in relation to Gottman’s couple schema: volatile, validating, conflict-avoiding? How well did the marriage work? Look at your own relationships. Where do you think you fall in relation to this schema?
247. According to Gottman’s findings, and contrary to popular opinion, it is not the exchange of anger that predicts divorce, but rather four forms of negativity: criticism (attacking a partner’s character), defensiveness (denying responsibility for certain behavior), contempt (insulting, abusive attitudes toward a partner), and stonewalling (a withdrawal and unwillingness to listen to one’s partner). Using either your own intimate relationship or that of someone else you know well (parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts, best friend and her or his spouse), identify which form of negativity characterizes each partner. Were the partners able to overcome their characteristic negativity? If so, how?
248. Would a contingency contract have been helpful in resolving any conflicts you may have had with your parents when you were an early adolescent? Describe the problem briefly and set up a contract.
249. Did your parents use informal methods of reinforcing desired behavior (e.g., promising a bicycle if your grades improved significantly)? How well did such methods work? Did they cause any problems? Imagine how this approach might help you as a therapist working with clients? Indicate any limitations you can anticipate.
Functional Family Therapy
250. Functional family therapists regard an individual’s behavior as always serving the function of creating specific outcomes in that person’s interpersonal relationships. Observe a friend or family member over several days, noting behavior patterns (without regard to whether you consider them desirable or undesirable), then speculate on the function of the behavior.
BEHAVIOR FUNCTION
_________________________ ________________________ _________________________ ________________________ _________________________ ________________________ _________________________ ________________________ _________________________ ________________________
251. Repeat the exercise shown above with your own behavior with respect to your relationships. Speculate on the function of your own behaviors.
BEHAVIOR FUNCTION
_________________________ ________________________ _________________________ ________________________ _________________________ ________________________ _________________________ ________________________ _________________________ ________________________
252. Consider a seemingly dysfunctional pattern between two members of your family, but one that nevertheless has persisted. What interpersonal payoffs might exist for the participants that help perpetuate the pattern?
Conjoint Sex Therapy
253. What was the dominant sexual theme transmitted to you by your parents (e.g., sex is a natural and enjoyable part of life; sex is to be endured; sex is not to be discussed)? What has been its impact on your current attitudes toward sex? What attitudes do you expect to transmit to your children?
254. Under what circumstances would you go to a counselor for sex therapy? Would you be expecting psychological or medical interventions?
255. Some sex therapists see couples separately at first, while others start with conjoint sessions. Which process do you think would work out best for you? Explain.
