Final answer:
Clinical behaviors are responses to stimuli, categorized into instinctual or innate behaviors, such as mating systems and communication, and learned behaviors, such as imprinting, habituation, conditioning, and cognitive learning. Clinical psychology focuses on these behaviors, particularly in diagnosing and treating psychological disorders in a therapeutic context.
Step-by-step explanation:
Clinical Behaviors in Psychology
Clinical behaviors refer to the various responses to stimuli that are considered within the realm of psychology, particularly when assessing and treating psychological disorders and problematic patterns of behavior. There are two main types of behaviors: instinctual or innate behaviors, which are natural and not heavily influenced by the environment, and learned behaviors, which are acquired through interaction with the environment. Clinical psychology specifically deals with these behaviors in a therapeutic setting, utilizing knowledge from scientific research along with applied treatment methods.
Instinctual behaviors include mating systems and methods of communication, which are exhibited by both humans and animals. On the other hand, learned behaviors encompass a range of actions such as imprinting and habituation, as well as various forms of conditioning and the highly complex cognitive learning. Professionals in clinical psychology, including cognitive-behavioral therapists, often consider both cognitive processes and observable behaviors when providing psychotherapy to clients.
Clinical psychology distinguishes itself by focusing on individuals with psychological disorders, deviating behaviors, and those in need of psychological adjustments. It runs parallel to counseling psychology, which often deals with emotionally, socially, vocationally, and health-related outcomes in psychologically healthy individuals. Both fields, however, put significant emphasis on understanding and modifying behaviors, with clinical psychology leading the way in treating more severe psychological issues.