Modeling Techniques and Clinical Conditions Lecture Notes

Modeling is a method used in certain cognitive-behavioral techniques of psychotherapy whereby the client learns by imitation alone, without any specific verbal direction by the therapist

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PSY 4 E 03: THERAPEUTIC
INTERVENTION STRATEGIES - II
UNIT–I: Behaviouristic Perspective
TOPIC: MODELING TECHNIQUES AND
CLINICAL CONDITIO
MODELING TECHNIQUES AND CLINICAL
CONDITIONS
Modeling is a method used in certain cognitive-behavioral techniques
of psychotherapy whereby the client learns by imitation alone, without
any specific verbal direction by the therapist, Definition
Modeling, which is also called observational learning or imitation, is a
behaviorally based procedure that involves the use of live or symbolic
models to demonstrate a particular behavior, thought, or attitude that a
client may want to acquire or change. Modeling is sometimes called
vicarious learning, because the client need not actually perform the
behavior in order to learn it.
Purpose
Modeling therapy is based on social learning theory. This theory
emphasizes the importance of learning from observing and imitating role
models, and learning about rewards and punishments that follow
behavior. The technique has been used to eliminate unwanted behaviors,
reduce excessive fears, facilitate learning of social behaviors, and many
more. Modeling may be used either to strengthen or to weaken
previously learned behaviour.
Study by Albert Bandura
The concept of behavioral modeling was most memorably introduced
by Albert Bandura in his famous 1961 Bobo doll experiment. In this
study, 72 children from ages three to five were divided into groups to
watch an adult confederate interact with an assortment of toys in the
experiment room, including an inflated Bobo doll. For children assigned
the non-aggressive condition, the confederate ignored the doll. For
children assigned the aggressive condition, the confederate spent the
majority of the time physically aggressing the doll and shouting at it.
After the confederate left the room, the children were given the
opportunity to individually interact with similar toys. Children who
observed the non-aggressive confederate's behavior played quietly with
the toys and rarely initiated violence toward the Bobo doll. Children
who watched the aggressive confederate were more likely to imitate the
confederate's behavior by hitting, kicking, and shouting at the Bobo doll.
Factors influencing behavioral modeling
 Psychological factors
Bandura proposed that four components contribute to behavioral
modeling.
1. Attention: The observer must watch and pay attention the
behavior being modeled.
2. Retention: The observer must remember the behavior well enough
to recreate it.
3. Reproduction: The observer must physically recreate the actions
they observed in step 1.
4. Reinforcement: The observer's modeled behavior must be
rewarded