Final answer:
The goal of behavior therapy is to reduce or eliminate maladaptive behavior by using operant conditioning principles. Strategies like behavior modification are employed to reinforce desirable behaviors while reducing unwanted ones, focusing on observable and measurable changes in behavior.
Step-by-step explanation:
The goal of behavior therapy is to reduce or eliminate maladaptive behavior.
Behavior therapy focuses on changing harmful behaviors and relies on the principles of operant conditioning. By using strategies such as behavior modification, therapists aim to replace undesirable behaviors with more socially acceptable ones. For instance, tools like sticker charts in a classroom or at home can be implemented to reward and reinforce desired behaviors in children. This form of therapy is grounded in the idea that behaviors are learned and that undesirable behaviors can be unlearned or changed to promote better functioning and well-being. It does not typically focus on changing patterns of thought (which is more characteristic of cognitive therapy) or on addressing inner conflicts from childhood (a common goal in psychoanalysis).
Therapists use various methods, including token economies and reinforcement schedules, to effectively bring about change. The consistent application of these reinforcements is essential for the success of behavior therapy. The goal in this therapeutic approach is practical and observable change in the behavior of clients, which is often measurable and quantifiable.