Association for Behavior Analysis International

The Association for Behavior Analysis International® (ABAI) is a nonprofit membership organization with the mission to contribute to the well-being of society by developing, enhancing, and supporting the growth and vitality of the science of behavior analysis through research, education, and practice.

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43rd Annual Convention; Denver, CO; 2017

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Paper Session #208
Behavioral Issues Related to Marriage and Sexuality
Sunday, May 28, 2017
10:00 AM–10:50 AM
Hyatt Regency, Capitol Ballroom 4
Area: CBM
Instruction Level: Intermediate
Chair: Anai Borges Borges Ribeiro Cesar (Capella University)
 
Applied Behavior Analysis Applied to Marital Behavior Change: Behaviorally Sound Approaches to "Marriage Counseling" and "Marital Therapy"
Domain: Service Delivery
RICHARD COOK (Penn State University; Applied Behavioral Medicine Associates)
 
Abstract: The habitual behaviors of spouses toward each other are arguably the most fundamental units of behavior within a marriage, and present the most readily observed and potentially most readily addressed foci for making improvements, including sometimes the so called "private behaviors" of attitudes, opinions, feelings, and the like. Most marriage counseling and therapy however currently uses a cognitive behavioral model, which is invariably far too heavily weighted on the "cognitive" often difficult to understand aspects, and far too light on specifically addressing the behaviors. Changing behavior can often be the most efficient, and effective, way to change attitudes and opinions (it is much easier to feel warmly toward a spouse who hasnt tracked mud over a freshly cleaned floor, over spent the checking account, or made lewd comments to one's boss or in-laws). This paper highlights components of a behaviorally based approach to effecting desired marital behavior change, including identification of desired behaviors, and use of behaviorally sound techniques to develop them into maintained and appropriately generalized habits. The topic and teaching can be helpful for conference attendees applying such behavior change professionally in their practices, as well as within the confines of their own marriages.
 
 

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