Behavioral formulations of verbal behavior in psychotherapy

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to integrate existing behavioral formulations of verbal behavior in psychotherapy. The role of verbal behavior in psychotherapy has been explained by behavioral theorists utilizing the principles of learning. This is in contrast to psychodynamic theorists' views of verbal behavior as a symbol. Skinner's definition of verbal behavior is integral to many behavioral formulations of verbal behavior in psychotherapy. Behavioral theorists emphasize developing verbal behavior, which serves important discriminative functions. Verbal behavior is also viewed as being shaped according to a verbal operant conditioning model. Many verbal behaviors are partially controlled by avoidance of aversive stimuli and must be extinguished during therapy. Attributional theory has a contribution to make to the behavioral formulation of verbal behavior in psychotherapy.