Behaviorist description of depression Essay Example for Free

Behaviorist description of slump EssayThe behavioral perspective of low gear links the disorder to a shortage of positive reinforcements in ones life. This lack of reinforcement results in the decline of reconstructive behavior, which in turn results in depression. Behaviorists posit that a person suffering from depression tail end develop a plan of action to replenish the deficit of positive reinforcement through the cooperation of family, friends and the therapist. In other words, according to behaviorists, the patients inability to cope with life seek leads to social withdrawal, which reduces the rate of positive reinforcements, which and then results in depression.The belief that a person suffering from depression can behave him- or herself out of it is both appealing and troublesome. The benefits of constructive activity notwithstanding, dependence on others for positive reinforcement could result in depression that waxes and wanes in direct proportion to the presenc e or absence of external stimuli. The danger inherent is this view is of placing too strong a focus on those external reinforcements.A patient who places conditions of worth on his or her actions whitethorn be convinced that others leave behind never be in a state of approval of those actions. Such a patient may benefit more greatly from a cognitive therapy that addresses his or her maladaptive thinking patterns and self-deprecating robotic thoughts. It is the therapists responsibility to assess the most effective treatment based on the patients individual profile. The specific curative approach essential be tailored to the patents needs and capabilities. If the patient requires guidance to change maladaptive thinking, then a plan to simply change behavior is doomed to fail.The behaviorist perspective can to a fault be interpreted as placing responsibility for depression squarely on the shoulders of the patient. Encouragement (of the patient to add charge of his or her own reco very by changing the nature of his or her personal relationships) can be effective with a strong-willed person who is committed to recovery. By helping to develop a plan of action and monitoring its success and opportunities for improvement, the behavioral therapist maintains at once a genuine presence at a respectful distance.The patients relationships are also important factors in depression that must be addressed to treat depression ergo behavioral therapy must tackle negativity in that facet of the patients life. The therapist must assess the overall relationship dynamic and any negative patterns of communion between the patient and his or her most significant others.Ideally, a behavioral therapist has evaluated the patient and hypothesized that he or she will benefit from changing behavioral patterns. The therapist patient will then fetch closely with the patient to assess the nature of his or her innate behavioral patterns to determine which are constructive and which detra ct from his or her impression of positive reinforcement. Classical conditioning is not suited for this task still modeling and shaping may be effective. Operant conditioning, by definition, is the order of the day. The patient will let continuous positive reinforcement for behaviors that combat his or her depression, while those that feed the depression will perform extinct.