Behavior Modeling Therapy to Treat Phobias

Behavior modeling is the precise demonstration of the desired behavior. According to the theory, we learn not only by doing but by watching what others do. In a therapeutic setting, behavior modeling is purposeful and positive, teaching clients healthier behavior.

However, behavior modeling can also be harmful, such as a parent passing on a prejudiced way of dealing with others or a friend teaching a child to use drugs. Therapeutic behavior modeling is often used to help clients change previously learned negative behaviors.

How Behavior Modeling in Psychology Works

Behavioral modeling is part of the social learning theory introduced by psychologist Albert Bandura in the late 1970s. Bandura suggested that a great deal of human behavior is learned through observational learning. In other words, watching other people helps us learn new things, even if that learning is not immediately apparent.

Bandura discovered how behavioral modeling could help people overcome phobias. In his work with people with snake phobias, Bandura found that when people observed others who had overcome the same fear of handling snakes, they were more likely to find relief.

He also compared these results to just watching a psychologist handle the snakes. The results indicated that behavioral modeling by the former patients was more effective.

Behavioral Modeling Steps

Bandura's learning theory suggests that there are four stages involved in behavioral modeling:

• Attention: In order to learn a new behavior, a person must first pay attention to what the model is doing. The more attentive the observer is, the more likely they retain what they see.
• Retention: The learner also needs to remember the actions and steps they see the model perform. 
• Reproduction: Next, the observer needs to be able to reproduce the behavior.
• Motivation: For someone to reproduce a behavior, they first need to be motivated to do so. This might emerge if there is a need to engage in the behavior, or they might act if they believe they will receive a reward.

Uses for Behavioral Modeling

Behavioral modeling can serve a wide range of purposes. In children, it is often a way for kids to learn new behaviors. For example, a child might learn how to throw a ball by watching someone else perform the action first. As kids age, they continue to learn new skills by watching others. 

As adults, people may watch and imitate other people's actions, such as picking up skills in the workplace or developing new parenting techniques.

Behavioral Modeling in Therapy

Behavioral modeling is a technique that is often used in many different types of therapy. A therapist might model a desired behavior to help their clients acquire new skills. In some cases, they might role-play situations so that people can learn more about how they might respond in different situations.

This can be a great way to help people acquire new coping skills. Once modeled in therapy, people can start practicing and applying those skills in their daily life.

Behavioral modeling is used effectively to treat people with a variety of mental health concerns, including:

• Anxiety disorders
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Attention deficit disorder
• Eating disorders
• Phobias
• Substance use disorders
• Anger management issues
  

Behavioral Modeling to Treat Phobias

Similar to another treatment for phobias known as systematic desensitization, behavior modeling exposes a person with a phobia to the object or situation they fear. However, the confrontation is experienced by another person rather than by the person with the phobia.

When witnessing the model respond to the phobia with relaxation rather than fear, people are able to develop a new reference framework for imitating that response. In theory, the patient could transfer this new response to real-life situations.

Benefits and Limitations of Behavioral Modeling

When used alone, behavioral modeling has been found effective for short-term learning. However, behavior modeling alone is unlikely to produce long-term behavior change unless it is combined with role-playing and reinforcement such as rewards.

One potential downside of behavioral modeling is that it can sometimes be used to model unhelpful or even harmful behaviors. For example, watching family members model anxious behaviors can increase a person's risk of developing an anxiety disorder.

How to Make Behavioral Modeling More Effective

In addition, other factors have been shown to increase the effectiveness of behavior modeling therapy. These factors involve the characteristics of the model and the target behaviors that are involved.

Characteristics of the Model

People are more likely to respond to models that are:

• Very skilled in acting out the behavior
• Likable or admirable
• Warm and friendly
• The same sex and age
• Rewarded immediately for the performance of the particular behavior

Characteristics of the Target Behaviors

Behavioral modeling is also more likely to be effective when the target behaviors are:

• Clearly demonstrated and include few unnecessary details
• Presented from the least difficult level of behavior to the most difficult level
• Enacted by several different models

Takeaway

Behavior modeling is one technique used to try to help people with phobias and other mental health conditions. When it doesn't achieve the desired response or change, people should be encouraged to try different techniques, approaches, or medications to help them overcome their fears.

Many other behavioral modification techniques are available, and some are more successful for certain people and problems.