Behaviour Therapy: Techniques, Research and Applications

Behaviour Therapy is based on the application of principles of learning to change human behaviour. In the last two decades it has grown into a promising scientific discipline. This development is exemplified by extensive research and applications. The present book provides a unifying account of its contemporary developments, linking underlying theories with practice. This book is divided into three sections. In the first section, basic assumptions of behaviour therapy are examined and emerging trends such as radical behaviourism, cognitive behaviourism and systematic eclectism are dealt with in a systematic manner. In the second section, the techniques of behaviour therapy, their theoretical bases and applications have been illustrated with the help of empirical studies. The concluding section focuses on the contemporary issues of research and practice of behaviour therapy.

Table of Contents:
Preface PART ONE: Foundations, Developmental Issues and Assessment: The Philosophical and Historical Foundations Conceptual Issues Psychobiological Basis of Behaviour Therapy Developmental Perspective Behavioural Assessment and Diagnosis PART TWO: Techniques of Behaviour Therapy: Reinforcing Desirable Responding Developing New Behaviour Modelling and Observational Learning Aversive Procedures Non-aversive Procedures Exposure Procedures Relaxation and Systematic Desensitisation Restricted Environmental Stimulation Technique Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing: EMDR Covert Conditioning Procedures Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy PART THREE: Research and Practise: Research Designs The Evidence-based Approach Ethical Issues in Behaviour Therapy Appendices Index

About the Author :
S. P. K. Jena is Professor, Department of Applied Psychology, University of Delhi, and former Director, Institute of Behavioural Sciences, Gujarat Forensic Sciences University (now National Forensic Sciences University). He won the H. N. Murthy Oration Award for his contribution to Behavioural Medicine and Biofeedback. He graduated from the Centre of Advanced Study in Psychology (Bhubaneswar), trained in clinical psychology from National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (Bengaluru) and attained a doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Central Institute of Psychiatry (Ranchi). He has served as Lecturer in Clinical Psychology at National Institute for the Mentally Handicapped, Regional Training Centres (Kolkata and Patna), as Reader in Special Education at Institute of Advance Study in Education in Rohilkhand University (Bareilly), and as Reader in Applied Psychology at Guru Jambheshwar University (Hisar). He has published several articles in national and international journals and has authored two books: Perspectives in Mental Retardation and Behaviour Therapy: Techniques, Research and Applications. He is the former editor of Indian Journal of Clinical Psychology.  

Review :
The book presents a comprehensive review of the subject. It provides practical as well as theoretical guidance to behaviour therapy. I would recommend it to professionals who practice behavioural interventions and seek to broaden their knowledge. It is refreshing that behaviour therapy gets a new release and a new presentation in this book which attempts to remove some of the stereotypes and presents a more balanced and scholarly view of not only ‘traditional’ behaviour therapy but also of the changes and innovations in an admittedly beneficial therapeutic procedure... A description of basic principles and techniques is followed by examples illustrative of their clinical application. Studies are presented in sufficient detail and demonstrate the process as well as the clinical usage of these procedures…. Overall, the book has been well-presented and rigorously referenced. This book focuses on the contemporary issues of research and practice of behaviour therapy.