Behavior Therapy is also called behavior modification and cognitive-behavioral therapy. The basic aim of behavior therapy is to help people deal with psychological problems. Its principles and procedures also are used to modify everyday problems.

This course will introduce the student to contemporary behavior therapy and its interaction with interpersonal relationships. There will be a focus on both theory and application, behavior therapy and modification techniques, and how to use these principles to positively modify behavior. Students will learn how to apply many of the education based principles and some of the procedures to deal with minor problems in everyday life (serious psychological problems should be treated by mental health professionals).

Theories and application of well-established laws of learning will be presented, such as: Terminology and Common Characteristics of Behavior Therapy; Antecedents of Contemporary Behavior Therapy; The Behavioral Model; The Process of Behavior Therapy; Behavioral Assessment; Acceleration Behavior Therapy; Deceleration Behavior Therapy; Combing Reinforcement and Punishment; Exposure Therapy; and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy – Cognitive Restructuring and Coping Skills.

Learning Objectives - By the end of this course, students should be able to:

1. Identify the bases of the various behavior therapies.

2. Explain the principles, theories and application of behavioral therapy.

3. Describe the theories of perception as it relates to the human experience.

4. Describe the foundations of the therapeutic process in behaviorism.

5. Relate thinking, language, and intelligence to the bases of human behavior.

6. Have a general understanding of behavioral assessment and treatment.

7. Explain how to demonstrate respect for humanity in behavior psychology.