According to Jones and Butman (2012) behavior therapy is one of the popular, empirically based theory that seeks to understand personality development. Behavior therapy seeks to ascertain causes of problem behaviors, and intercedes to eliminate or decrease the occurrences of these problem behaviors, in more effective and efficient ways, using appropriate scientific methods. Jones and Butman argue that behavior therapy originated from a behaviorism viewpoint, which assumes that the universe is made up of mater and energy. The behaviorism standpoint also assumes a reductionism, which proposes that complex phenomena can be broken down into simple elements. Proposing that human behavior can also be broken down into simple elemental processes that are easily comprehended and studied (Jones & Butman, 2012).
Behavior therapy theorizes that the self is comprised of behavior pattern, reflexes, perceptions and impressions. Behavior therapy concepts like classical conditioning, operant learning, and social learning theory, proposes that human behavior can be learned and modified. A classical conditioning model suggests that humans have innate reflexes (unconditioned) that can be conditioned through repeated training. For example in the case of anxiety, Wolpe’s …show more content…
Naturalism disregards the existence of God, the reality of the supernatural, and concepts of human freedom and consciousness. However, despite the foundational assumptions of the theory, a behavioral model seeks to explain the impact that our environment, consequences, and to an extent society and culture, impacts our behaviors. The theory also aligns with biblical salvation and redemptive narrative, which argues that a belief in Christ influences our behavior and