Covert Conditioning: What It Is, What Are Its Phases, And Techniques
Behaviorism is one of the best-known psychology paradigms throughout history, being characteristic of its practically exclusive focus on human behavior based on the principles of learning through the association between stimuli. Born as opposed to psychoanalysis, it proposed the need to focus only on observable aspects, and without considering for the most part the participation of the mind as something scientifically studyable.
It would not be until the arrival of cognitivism that cognition and other mental abilities would appear in scientific and empirical models of our mind and behavior, although before its appearance there was already an openness on the part of the behaviorist current to exploration and incorporation. of less directly observable aspects.
Thus, both paradigms are closely related, and there are even some theoretical models and therapeutic modalities that work from an intermediate point between both paradigms. A clear example of this is the so-called covert conditioning.
We understand covert conditioning as one of the best-known psychological models based on the conditioning of behaviors. Like the rest of the conditioning, the model considers that our behaviors can be understood based on the association made between stimuli, responses and consequences of the latter (more stimuli), generating new associations by coordinating their appearance, and that it is possible to alter the frequency of a specific response based on its consequences. Applied in therapy, this would allow us to modify a dysfunctional response or learn a specific behavior.
However, unlike in non-covert models, the elements that would be used to modify behavior would be cognitive and not physical. In fact, the existence of factors that are not directly observable or covert (such as thought) is observed that They are the basis of behavior modification and that serve as a basis for covert conditioning. Specifically, one of the most relevant factors is the use of imagination as a fundamental variable.
It is considered that The main father and promoter of covert conditioning was Joseph Cautela, which would begin to apply the main principles of conditioning to cognitive elements such as symbolization, language and imagination. However, it is also worth highlighting the important role of other authors such as Wolpe and Homme, who would serve as precursors when the first created systematic desensitization (from which a considerable proportion of covert techniques are largely based) and the second by demonstrating that elements like language could be controlled experimentally.
Your theory
This model does not start from nothing, but is based on different assumptions or basic principles.
First of all It is based on the principle of homogeneity between overt and covert behaviors that is, it is assumed that the conclusions drawn from overt phenomena can also be applied to covert ones.
The second of the principles is that of interaction between both: the manifest and the covert processes interact (for example to relax physically we think about specific situations). The third and last proposes that both the observable and manifest and the covert follow the same laws of learning.
The research carried out seems to reflect these assumptions, and the same techniques can be used in imagination as in real life and it is seen that there is a palpable effect of the interaction between covert and overt elements.
Basic procedure: phases
Covert conditioning can be applied through different techniques, which we will see later. However, regardless of the technique used A specific process divided into different phases is usually used.
1. Educational phase
At first the professional explains the model and the technique to be used to the patient, clearing up their doubts and justifying the reason for using said technique.
2. Evaluation and imagination training phase
The use of techniques based on covert conditioning requires a certain capacity for imagination and visualization, these aspects being something in which different patients can differ greatly. Thus, it will be necessary to assess the patient’s ability to form mental images and put themselves in different situations through imagination and in cases where it is necessary to train him in it.
3. Phase of application of covert conditioning in consultation
Throughout this phase, covert conditioning will be applied in a controlled situation. Initially, conditioning will be generated by associating mental images of behaviors and consequences, making a large number of pairings. Around twenty trials are recommended. Little by little the patient will reduce the level of help they get from the professional as you master the technique.
4. Consolidation and generalization phase
This last phase focuses on ensuring that the patient is able to do the conditioning on his own and making him increasingly autonomous, also scheduling homework tasks.
Techniques based on this model
Previously we have reflected the basic phases of techniques based on covert conditioning. However, there are a large number of techniques that can be used to treat the problems that the patient presents. Some of the most relevant are the following.
Covert reinforcement, whether positive or negative, is based on generating some type of stimulation or consequence that causes an increase in the probability of repetition of the behavior that you want to generate or increase but in imagination.
It seeks to bring the patient closer to carrying out the behavior, often using it together with systematic desensitization to reduce reactions such as anxiety. In the case of positive reinforcement we would use some type of appetitive stimulation for the subject, while in negative reinforcement we would use the withdrawal of an aversive stimulus. It is used in situations such as exposure to phobias, inhibited or avoided behaviors in other disorders or for learning skills.
2. Covert awareness
Covert sensitization is based on reducing the probability of emitting a behavior through the presentation of an aversive stimulus contingent on said behavior. The aim is to inhibit or reduce the response by generating negative responses such as anxiety when the behavior appears. It is used in addictions and paraphilias, for example.
It would be equivalent to positive punishment, in which a behavior is reduced (punishment) by adding (positive) an undesirable and annoying stimulus. When it is covert, what would be done is imagine the problematic behavior to be reduced or eliminated associated with aversive situations.
There is a modality, the assisted covert, in which in reality yes real stimulation is applied even though the aversiveness is imaginary. In cases where there is a lot of anxiety or difficulty imagining oneself, it can be done vicariously: imagining another person doing the behavior and suffering the negative consequences.
3. Covert response cost
Equivalent to negative punishment or response cost, it is based on the decrease in the probability of performing a behavior through the withdrawal of an appetitive stimulus. The subject is made to associate the performance of the behavior with the withdrawal of some reinforcer. It is used, for example, in paraphilias or other types of maladaptive responses.
4. Covert modeling
Modeling is a technique in which the observation and subsequent repetition of a behavior is sought through the visualization of a model that performs it. In the case of covert modeling, the model in question would not physically exist but rather the subject must imagine a subject different from itself carrying out the activity that you want to train. Little by little and through repetitions, the imagined model becomes more and more similar to the subject.
It is recommended that the model first be hesitant and present some difficulty, and then perform the action with great mastery. Finally, the patient is asked to imagine himself performing the action without difficulties and mastering the situation. The aim is mainly to learn new behaviors, in a similar way to positive reinforcement.
5. Covert Assertion
Based on self-control, this technique is based on the reduction of negative emotions and cognitions towards oneself that make it difficult to achieve success in meeting objectives or coping or overcoming a situation through the use of positive verbalizations. Thus, it would try to reduce self-criticism through the generation of positive assertions that generate well-being.
6. Self-control triad
Technique designed by Cautela himself that includes elements such as thought stopping (which in itself is another covert conditioning technique) or behavior in which the subject subvocally orders the cessation of the behavior or thought to be reduced to later perform relaxation exercises such as breathing and then visualize positive scenes.
