Konditioneringsterapi

Konditioneringsterapi, sometimes referred to as behavioral conditioning therapy, is a broad category of therapeutic approaches rooted in the principles of behavioral psychology, particularly classical and operant conditioning. These therapies aim to modify maladaptive behaviors or emotions by establishing new associations or consequences. Classical conditioning, pioneered by Ivan Pavlov, involves pairing a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus that naturally elicits a response. Over time, the neutral stimulus alone comes to elicit the same response. In therapy, this might involve associating a feared object with a state of relaxation to reduce phobias.

Operant conditioning, associated with B.F. Skinner, focuses on how behavior is learned through its consequences. Behaviors followed by reinforcement (rewards) are more likely to be repeated, while behaviors followed by punishment are less likely. Therapeutic applications include using reinforcement to encourage desired behaviors, such as in token economies where individuals earn tokens for positive actions that can be exchanged for privileges. Conversely, extinction, a process of withholding reinforcement, can be used to decrease unwanted behaviors.

Systematic desensitization is a common technique that combines classical conditioning principles with relaxation techniques to treat anxiety disorders. Exposure therapy, which involves gradually exposing individuals to feared situations or stimuli, also draws heavily on conditioning principles to help overcome avoidance behaviors. While foundational, these techniques are often integrated into more comprehensive therapeutic models.