Cautela Self-control Triad: What It Is And How It Is Used In Therapy
The covert conditioning paradigm was developed by Joseph R. Cautela in 1966, and is included within behavioral therapies. In this type of conditioning, the stimuli are presented in the imagination.
In this article We will learn about the self-control triad, a covert behavior modification technique also developed by JR Cautela, used especially in addictive, sexual and impulse control disorders, and which tries to reduce unwanted behaviors.
The self-control triad is a technique derived from self-control, typical of Joseph R. Cautela Its objective is to reduce the probability of occurrence of an unwanted response or behavior using stimuli through imagination. Let’s remember that a behavior can also be a thought (in this case, unwanted).
Self-control techniques aim for us to acquire and exercise the ability to exercise control over ourselves, and imply that we learn to control our behaviors in all its aspects (that is, our thoughts, actions, emotions, etc.).
Cautela’s self-control triad aims to alter the frequency of a response through the manipulation of its consequences ; With this technique, the antecedent stimuli, the behavior itself and the consequent stimuli (consequences), are presented to the person in an imaginary way, that is, in imagination (the person must imagine everything in detail).
Covert conditioning
The self-control triad belongs to the paradigm called covert conditioning (in imagination), which was also developed by Cautela, in 1996.
Covert conditioning is a type of procedure that includes a series of steps:
Steps
For its part, Cautela’s self-control triad is developed in three steps:
1. First step
The patient, when he is about to perform the unwanted behavior (or when you simply think about such behavior, or an unwanted thought appears), you say out loud, “Stop it!”, and stop the unexpressed thought.
That is, this step can include thought stopping, which is another technique of covert conditioning, also typical of Cautela.
2. Second step
After saying “Enough!”, the second step involves the patient taking deep, relaxing breathing and therefore relax.
3. Third step
The third and final step of the self-control triad consists of mentally visualize a pleasant image or scene
Origin of covert conditioning
As we have seen, it was Joseph R. Cautela who initiated studies of covert conditioning. In 1966, Cautela described and used the so-called covert sensitization technique, from which an imagined aversive consequence (for example a sensation of nausea) was applied. contingent on a maladaptive or unwanted behavior, which is intended to be eliminated
Prior to Cautela, as antecedents of covert conditioning, we find two other authors: Wolpe (1958), who used Systematic Desensitization (SD) and Homme (1965), who carried out experimental control of symbolic behaviors.
Applications of the technique
The self-control triad of Caution applies to thoughts or behaviors that we want to reduce and/or eliminate.
These thoughts or behaviors can appear in some disorders such as addictive disorders (such as gambling or addictions to some types of drugs), impulse control disorders, some sexual disorders such as paraphilias, etc. That is to say, psychological alterations in which control is lost when carrying out certain actions persistently.
Cautela’s thought stopping technique is similar to, but not the same as, the self-control triad.
This technique focuses, as its name indicates, on thought control. It can be put into practice when we feel nervous or upset with some type of thought (or several); To apply it, we must focus on them and identify those that have negative connotations. At that moment, we will say to ourselves (subvocally): “Enough!” Then, we will replace those thoughts with more positive ones.
For thought stopping to be effective, it will take a lot of practice and consistency, so that we can identify our negative thoughts well, as well as reverse them and turn them into positive ones.
