Final answer:
Behavior therapy techniques that are based on classical conditioning involve associating a neutral stimulus with a natural response, as seen in Pavlov's dog experiments. This differs from operant conditioning, where behavior is modified by its consequences. Cognitive-behavioral therapy uses both behavioral and cognitive methods.
Step-by-step explanation:
The behavior therapy technique that is primarily based on classical conditioning involves the learning process where an organism comes to associate two stimuli, a neutral stimulus and one that evokes a natural response. For instance, in Pavlov's dog experiments, the dog learned to associate the sound of a bell (the neutral stimulus) with food (the stimulus that evokes the salivation reflex), and eventually, the dog salivated at the sound of the bell even without the presence of food. This is different from operant conditioning, where behavior is shaped by reinforcement or punishment, such as rewarding a pet with a treat for performing a trick.
When considering how our own behaviors can be conditioned, if you learn that studying can improve your grade on an AP® test, this learning process might be more akin to operant conditioning, where the positive outcomes of studying (better grades) reinforce the behavior of studying.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is another approach that incorporates elements of behaviorism and cognitive theories, where both cognitive processes and behaviors are taken into account when providing psychotherapy.