Getting free from aversive controls from the past to get in touch with contingencies of the present: a case study

Authors

  • Camila Muchon de Melo
  • Maura Alves Nunes Gongora

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5380/psi.v7i1.3205

Keywords:

radical behaviorism, interpretation, clinic procedures

Abstract

The analysis of a clinic case is described based on behavioral analysis and on radical behaviorist philosophy. An interpretation of complaints is emphasized more than implemented procedures. The case, referred to here, is of a client whose complaint related to covert behavior of dreaming and thinking obsessively on her past, especially of what was related to an old boyfriend. Besides that, she had difficulties in family relations and had been diagnosed as being in a state of depression. Her complaint about dreams and thoughts was interpreted as product of aversive contingencies which she had been exposed to when a child and her attempts to avoid unsatisfactory family relations. Besides that, the present text describes other interpretations, the procedures that emanated from them and, in the course of therapeutic process, the way the overcoming difficulties with her past which made possible the ability of the client to face family problems. Also related is how the control of medical diagnosis over behavior was interpreted and the procedures which allowed gradual reduction of antidepressive medication. It is intended to demonstrate how the interpretations, based on radical behaviorism, permitted application of procedures which resulted in more contact of the client with actual contingencies and construction of a new interpersonal repertoire that provided her with more autonomy and new perspectives for the future.

Keywords: radical behaviorism; interpretation; clinic procedures.

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How to Cite

de Melo, C. M., & Gongora, M. A. N. (2003). Getting free from aversive controls from the past to get in touch with contingencies of the present: a case study. Interação Em Psicologia, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.5380/psi.v7i1.3205

Issue

Vol. 7 No. 1 (2003)

Section

Articles

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