First-Wave Behavior Therapies for Schizophrenia and Related Psychotic Disorders

Abstract

This chapter reviews first-wave behavior therapies for psychotic and related disorders derived primarily from operant and social learning principles. These interventions were applied with chronic mental patients in state mental hospitals and focused on delusional speech, hallucinatory behavior, social skills, personal grooming and hygiene, vocational skills, and recreational behavior. Results of numerous small-n studies, some with strong experimental controls, showed generally positive outcomes with previously refractory problem behaviors. Also examined are more recent interventions for psychotic behavior based on individualized functional analyses of the problematic responses. Inherent limitations of behavioral programming in hospital settings and the increased need for humane and effective therapeutic environments for people with severe and persistent behavior disorders are discussed.KeywordsFirst wave behavior therapySchizophreniaPsychotic disorders