Behavioral therapy refers to a therapy which is deeply rooted in behaviorism principles. Behaviorism focuses on the idea that people learn from their environment and the ultimate in behavioral therapy is to eliminate maladaptive behaviors and at the same time reinforce desirable behaviors. The techniques used in behavioral therapy have a strong basis on operant conditioning and classical conditioning theories. Unlike other kinds of therapy which have strong roots in insight, behavioral therapies are action based. It focuses on using similar learning strategies which results in the formation of unwanted or maladaptive behaviors and other new behaviors. As a result of this, behavioral therapy is highly focused as it endeavors to teach new behaviors to clients with the view of eliminating or minimizing the issue. Old and authentic learning led to the emergence of the problem and hence the new idea relies on the belief new learning fixes the old problem.
Behavioral therapy is effective for correcting some selected disorders or problems. It is very effective in treating specific behavioral problems as compared to other approaches. The problems that perfectly respond include panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorders, and phobias. However, it is essential to note that behavioral therapy may not be the perfect solution for severe disorders such as schizophrenia and depression, among others. Behavioral therapy does not differ from cognitive theory as a whole. Cognitive theory is a psychological learning theory which understands human thought process as the means of explaining human behavior. Both the theories make the assumption that humans are logical beings who make rational choices. However, pure cognitive theory to a larger extent rejects behaviorism or behavioral therapy as it limits human behavior to simple effect and cause. Behavioral therapy is not an effective treatment. This is because behavioral therapy alone does not work well in treating behavioral related disorders. The perfect way is to merge cognitive and behavioral therapy which results in an effective treatment known as cognitive-behavioral theory.
The feminist view of human nature begins with understanding of feminist ideologies as well as its intentions and inception into the society. This means that feminist view nature in terms of advocating for political, social, and women rights equal to those of men. They view nature as the place where women suffer social injustices as a result of discrimination eminent in the patriarchal society. The women who strongly felt the inequality of people in the society viewed the suppression of slavery reflected in their lives. Feminists question the notion that women are slaves regardless of the fact that men all born free. The earliest feminist got the opportunity to challenge the inequality in the society through abolitionist movements.
Social constructionism can assist women or feminists to come to terms or embrace the nature of reality. This is because it is essentially a relativist, anti-realist stance which helps in the understanding of realities of life. Therefore, social constructionism impacts on the client’s self-image and world as it seeks the attainment equal rights for women. This looks like a natural progression where those women who feel intimidated by the process have a platform to air their views. In this world, many things shape the direction that an individual's life takes. Being brought up in a Christian family, I never thought that my life would one day deviate from the Christian norms and values I acquired since I was a child. All my life, I never imagined that I would live a cruel life and attempt to commit a suicide. The reality dawned on me when I was put under behavioral therapy to recover from the issues of suicide and have a focus of my life.
Works Cited
Mikesell , Richard, Don Lusterman and Susan McDaniel. Integrating Family Therapy: Handbook of Family Psychology and Systems Theory. Washington DC: American Psychological Association, 2009.
