Techniques and cost of undercover conditioning

Undercover conditioning It is a theoretical model that refers to a set of techniques that use imagination, and that intend to alter the frequency of the response through the manipulation of the consequences. Caution presented for the first time, in 1966, one of the undercover conditioning techniques: undercover sensitization. Subsequently, he described: undercover positive reinforcement, undercover negative reinforcement, undercover extinction, undercover modeling, undercover response cost, thought and triad stop of the self -control.

Techniques based on undercover conditioning

HISTORY

Psychoanalysis had used imagination for therapeutic purposes in Europe, but, in America, from Watson (1924), human behavior was divided into observable and not observable, and it was considered that a scientific explanation of human behavior should exclude the non -manifest aspects. Most of the learning theorists studied only animal behavior because they were not influenced by mediation aspects (Guthrie, Skinner, Hull).

Later, a less dichotomized point of view (Bandura, Skinner) was imposed, and not observable phenomena were incorporated into behavior analysis. Skinner and Day supposed a functional equivalence between observable and undercover phenomena. Homme, described the undercover phenomena and controlled its frequency. Ferster, raised the analysis of the functional relationship between manifest and covert behaviors.

Terrace, considered that the undercover behaviors of an individual, were the result of a mediated differential reinforcement history for other people. But, the clinical use of the imagination was not popular until the DS began to be used massively. The undercover conditioning techniques are "daughters" of the DS, but they intend to cover both the disappearance of avoidance behaviors (DS), and of approach (addictions).

Theoretical bases

Upper and caution, classify behavioral processes in 3 categories: observable or motor behavior. Covert psychological responses that include: think, imagine and feel. Undercover physiological responses (it is or not aware of them, but they are not observable for others). Some of these answers are potentially more controllable than others, but undercover psychological ones can only be known through language. Some authors admit a continuum between observable and covert behaviors: Wolpe, Caute, Stampfl, Homme. Wolpe is inclined to respondent learning. Homme and caution for operating learning.

Undercover conditioning postulates

Homogeneity: There is continuity between manifest and covert behaviors (it is possible to transfer the empirical conclusions of manifest phenomena to undercover). Interaction: There is an interaction between undercover processes and observables. They influence each other, although sometimes undercover are only a simple manifest label. Learning: Undercover processes and manifestos are similarly governed by learning laws. From here, the procedures that have proven to be effective in the modification of manifest behavior can be equally effective on it, being applied in imagination. Caution reaffirms the technical basis of undercover conditioning in operating conditioning, and in homogeneity, interaction and learning between manifest and undercover behavior. Distinguishes between thoughts and subvocal speech to achieve a change in hypothetical structures (attitudes, self -perception). There are different opinions. Martos and Vila, think that the theoretical basis of undercover conditioning can be in other models such as vicarious learning or cognitive processes.

Basic procedure

According to caution, undercover conditioning is part of the same operating procedures. Bandura, places it within the framework of social learning. Subsequently, caution, included the triad of self -control and the arrest of thought, which are procedures derived from the theory of self -control. In any CE process, it is necessary to follow the following guidelines:

1. Reasoned justification for the use of the technique: it is necessary to raise a basic reasoning to the client before starting the intervention, which consists in the explanation of the bases of these techniques. Upper and caution, they insist demonstrating the client as the environment influences behavior control (punishment, reward, indifference and social models, They tend to produce an increase, decrease or disappearance of behaviors): "Modifying the environment that affects you, we can modify your behavior".
2. Imaginative capacity evaluation and/or imagination training: in many occasions a detailed description is sufficient by the therapist, so that the subject is able to mentally reproduce the scenario, but, in others, an imagination training is necessary.
3. Establishment of communication patterns and therapist during the session: words ("change") can be introduced, or use a gesture code.
4. Alternation of images of behaviors to change and related consequences or stimuli: the basis of these techniques is to condition an images to others, for which they will alternate in the planned order.
5. Customer training in making the sequence without help: the client must learn to imagine on its own and practice a much greater frequency.
6. TASK PROGRAMMING Between sessions: training tasks are performed in the imagination of the sequence of the pre -established form, and contrary to the imaginative consequences in the face of real eliciting stimuli.

Undercover

The undercover response cost (CRE) is analogous to the operant procedure of the response cost. It is a procedure based on negative or indirect punishment. It aims to reduce the frequency of maladaptive behavior imagining that its occurrence is associated with the loss of a positive reinforcer.

It is indicated, both for maladaptive approximation responses (alcoholism, sexual deviations) and avoidance (fears) (fears). Pleasant stimulus that is lost: the consequence of the issuance of behavior is the loss of something that must be important for the subject.

Upper and caution You propose in "Cost of Cost of Undercover Answers", consisting of 20 items. The patient has to evaluate the discomfort that would produce each of the situations in 5 points. PROCEDURE DESCRIPTION: The client is asked to imagine unraveling behavior (eating excessively). When the sequence that will lift the consumption of food is going to begin, the loss image is introduced (at the time the refrigerator opens to take an ice cream, it is told "change" and go to the image of the robbery of the car). Greater evidence of the effectiveness of this technique is necessary, although in well -controlled studies, its result has been demonstrated.

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