ABA Inside Track Episode 54 - Habit Reversal
Apr 25, 2018
Dive into the world of habit reversal, a method that can tackle everything from vocal tics to nail-biting. Discover the fascinating history of its acceptance in treating Tourette syndrome, backed by rigorous research. The hosts illuminate the psychological and physiological factors at play, while dispelling common myths surrounding this treatment approach. Personal anecdotes add a humorous touch, as they explore the importance of social support in behavioral change. Plus, they highlight educational opportunities for future behavior analysts!
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Habit Reversal Basics
- Habit reversal is an old, well-researched treatment first developed in the 1970s to target motor/vocal tics and nervous habits.
- It uses awareness training and competing response training, proving effective for many repetitive, stigmatized behaviors.
Understanding Habits and Tics
- Habits refer to repetitive behaviors causing physical or social harm, including actions like hair pulling or vocal tics.
- These habits often bear a stigma and may not have clear functional causes but are categorized largely by appearance.
Function Complexity of Nervous Habits
- Nervous habits like nail biting often serve multiple functions like anxiety relief or boredom alleviation.
- These behaviors can also be socially reinforced, making them complex and resistant to extinction.
