Read Case Study 1: Marla ’s fear of social situations
Marla is a 24-year-old woman who recently graduated from college and began a new job at an advertising firm. She suffers from extreme fear of social situations. In college, she avoided parties and large gatherings and tended to keep to herself. Now that she is working, it is becoming increasingly difficult for her to avoid social situations. Her boss and co-workers expect her to attend office functions and client parties as networking is a large part of the job. Marla is very artistic and creative and has already designed several successful ads for clients, but she is afraid that she will lose her job because of the difficulties she is experiencing socially.
Write a 2-3 page paper addressing the following:
Define the target behavior in Marla’s case study by writing a 1–2 sentence operational definition that meets all of the following criteria:
• observable
• passes the “Dead Man’s” test and the “stranger” test
• uses no labels or hypothetical constructs
Describe how respondent conditioning and operant conditioning are involved in the development of an anxiety problem or fear.
Identify the CS and CR in Marla’s case study.
Discuss the difference between systematic and in-vivo desensitization as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each procedure.
Design a behavior modification procedure for Marlautilizing either systematic desensitization or in vivo desensitization. Provide rationale for your selection.
Include the following in your behavior modification procedure:
• a sample behavior hierarchy
• at least one relaxation procedure
• a description of how relaxation procedures and the behavior hierarchy are used together
In addition to the two desensitization procedures, your reading for this week covered two other ABA-based treatments that can be applied to assist clients with fear and anxiety. Identify these two treatments and describe how they could be implemented with Marla.
Read Case Study 2: Jon ’s hair pulling
Jon is a 6-year-old boy, with normal intelligence, who has a hair-pulling habit. The hair pulling occurs most often during periods of inactivity, such as during TV watching, quiet time in school, or waiting in line with his parents.
Write a 2–3 page paper addressing the following:
Provide a 1–2 sentence operational definition for Jon’s target behavior. Write a 1–2 sentence operational definition that meets all of the following criteria:
• observable
• passes the “Dead Man’s” test and the “stranger” test
• uses no labels or hypothetical constructs
Determine whether Jon’s target behavior is a behavior excess or behavior deficit. Think of the risks of not intervening in Jon’s case and respond to the following:
• What are the short-term risks to Jon (in the next 3 months)?
• What are the long-term risks to Jon (in the next 6–12 months)?
Design a habit reversal procedure for Jon describing all four components of habit reversal and how they would be implemented.
Include the following in your habit reversal procedure:
• A specific competing response
• Describe how you could include the use of a differential reinforcement procedure
Suppose that Jon had an intellectual disability. Explain how your habit reversal procedure might change to increase its effectiveness. Include one evidence-based procedure from your reading for this week.
Sample Solution
