Human Development

Behaviour therapy

Description:
Behaviour therapy includes a number of therapeutic methods sharing certain theoretical conceptions, although the methods themselves may vary from desensitization to aversion treatment. Practitioners hold that neurotic behaviour and other types of disorder are acquired in a manner subject to the established laws of learning. Such laws encompass both the acquisition of new behaviour patterns, and the reduction or elimination of existing (undesirable) behaviour patterns. [Continuous positive reinforcement] may be used to encourage the acquisition of desired behaviour and discourage the undesirable.
Behaviour therapy has been successfully used in the treatment of a variety of neurotic conditions including phobias, sexual disorders, obsessional disorders and children's speech disorders.
Broader:
Therapy