Determinism Vs Behaviorism

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From a behavioral therapy standpoint people are seen as neither good or bad but rather a product of their environment, (Henderson & Thompson, 2011). According to behaviorists, behavior is learned through the surrounding environment and those learned behaviors are repeated when an incentive follows the action. Behaviorists generalize information about humans from observing animals, although they acknowledge that humans are much more complex (Henderson & Thompson, 2011). The basis for behavioral therapy stems from three major ideas, reductionism, determinism, and empiricism (Henderson & Thompson, 2011). Reductionism refers to analyzing actions to the ultimate origin which is biology (Henderson & Thompson, 2011). Determinism suggests that all …show more content…
Lastly, empiricism emphasizes the noticeable, testable, and measurable (Henderson & Thompson, 2011). The overall behavioral theory emphasizes focusing on actions and doing something about the actions (Henderson & Thompson, 2011). Additionally, this theory focuses on relearning behavior that increases helpful behavior and decreases unhelpful behavior. Counseling methods tend to work best when the child is provided reinforcement with developmentally appropriate rewards (Henderson & Thompson, 2011). Counseling methods include assessing, treating, and evaluating the behavior such as using rating scales (Henderson & Thompson, 2011). A behavior analysis includes identifying the problem category, identifying the type of problem, determining the problem cause, and selecting a problem solution (Henderson & Thompson, 2011).

From a rational emotive behavioral therapy (REBT) standpoint people are neither good or bad if they respond to others from a rational belief system (Henderson & Thompson, 2011). However, if people react in
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After discussing the problem the counselor and Sara would agree on goals for the session (Henderson & Thompson, 2011). Goals would include overcoming shame and trusting others. The counselor would work with Sara to first seek emotional solutions which would help to change Sara’s reactions to the activating event (Henderson & Thompson, 2011). The counselor would help Sara to see how her current emotions are creating these upsets for her and help her to identify different more positive emotions (Henderson & Thompson, 2011). The counselor would work with Sara to help her see that her belief that everyone is untrustworthy influences her emotions and behaviors. Further, acknowledging that the situation is horrible and difficult, but does not make everyone untrustworthy challenges her belief system. Identifying a time when there was a person she trusted could help to challenge this belief system. Additionally, the counselor could also role play with the student in order to rehearse and practice making positive rational statements so that in the future she is able to make rational self-statements and reduce emotional upset (Henderson & Thompson, 2011).

Benefits of using behavioral therapy with Sara’s case include having a clear plan for her to follow and giving her rewards that may make her feel more positive and more willing to try new behaviors. Limitations would

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