Covert conditioning

Covert conditioning is an approach to mental health treatment that utilizes the principles of <a href="/facts/Applied_behavior_analysis/4wPnh8sV">applied behavior analysis</a>, or <a href="/facts/Cognitive-behavior_therapy/LRALDkkU">cognitive-behavior therapies</a> (CBTs) to help individuals improve their behavior or inner experience. This method relies on the individual's ability to use <a href="/facts/Image/hbjEdTXK">imagery</a> for purposes such as mental rehearsal. In some populations, it has been found that an imaginary reward can be as effective as a real one. The effectiveness of covert conditioning is believed to depend on the careful application of behavioral treatment principles, including a comprehensive behavioral analysis.
Some clinicians include the mind's ability to spontaneously generate imagery that can provide intuitive solutions or even reprocessing that improves people's typical reactions to situations or inner material. However, this goes beyond the behavioristic principles on which covert conditioning is based.
Therapies and self-help methods have aspects of covert conditioning. This can be seen in focusing, some <a href="/facts/Neuro-linguistic_programming/TvhUXueP">neuro-linguistic programming</a> methods such as future pacing, and various visualization or imaginal processes used in <a href="/facts/Behavior_therapy/2N1n5BKp">behavior therapies</a>, such as CBTs or <a href="/facts/Clinical_behavior_analysis/YKzdHjp2">clinical behavior analysis</a>.

Covert conditioning open-in-new

Covert conditioning