The effects of signalization of interventions in Functional Analytic Psychotherapy

• Grant number: 12/07145-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• Effective date (Start): June 01, 2012
• Effective date (End): May 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Psychology - Psychological Treatment and Prevention
• Principal Investigator: Sonia Beatriz Meyer
• Grantee: Victor Mangabeira Cardoso dos Santos
• Host Institution: Instituto de Psicologia (IP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP) is based on radical behaviorism and proposes that the variables of the therapeutic relationship should primarily be seen as an instrument of behavioral change. The therapist should recognize the occurrence of Clinically Relevant Behavior (CRB) in the therapeutic interaction and present the appropriate consequences to each of them. They are: CRB1 (problem behaviors in the session), CRB2 (improvement behaviors in the session) and CRB3 (functional description of the variables controlling the behavior of the client). To study the mechanism of behavioral change on FAP the present research uses a single case experimental design of withdraw, with multiple treatments (A1 - B1 - A2 - C1 - A3 - B2 - A4 - C2 - A5). The objective is to study the effects on CRBs and of client of two different FAP interventions. Non-signalized FAP Interventions (FAPNS) and Signalized FAP Interventions (FAPS). FAPNS´s interventions consist of modeling in the therapeutic interaction. FAPS´s interventions, in addition to modeling CRBs in the therapeutic interaction, contain the following variables: 1) signalization and description by the therapist of the occurrence of CRBs in the interaction with the cliente; 2) a description of the therapist about the impact that a CRB causes on him (with respect to feelings, thoughts, etc.); and 3) parallels between CRBs and clients behavior outside the session. The instruments used to measure the changes are: Functional Analytic Psychotherapy Rating Scale - FAPRS, and Multidimensional system for coding behavior in therapist-client interaction - SMCCIT. The instruments will be used to categorize the behaviors of two clients with problems in interpersonal relationships, attended by the researcher-therapist. The sequential analysis of turns will be used to verify if the procedure worked as planned, that is, the therapist evoked and responded effectively to the client's CRBs. The time series analysis will be used to evaluate the effects of interventions on the client's behaviors on each phase. A descriptive analysis will be performed to compare the differences on CRBs on each phase. (AU)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

SANTOS, Victor Mangabeira Cardoso dos. Effects of signalizing interventions in functional analytic psychotherapy. 2015. Doctoral Thesis - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Psicologia (IP/SBD) São Paulo.