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Covert Conditioning: A Learning-Theory Perspective on Imagery

  • Chapter
The Power of Human Imagination

Part of the book series: Emotions, Personality, and Psychotherapy ((EPPS))

Abstract

In recent years there has been a trend in behavioral psychology toward the speculation and development of procedures that manipulate imagery to modify behavior. This is a dramatic departure from the tenets of conventional behaviorism, which held that mentalistic concepts had no place in the scientific study of psychology (Watson, 1919, p. viii). However, Wolpe legitimatized the investigation of covert processes within a behavioristic framework with systematic desensitization (1958). Since then a number of investigators who label themselves behavior therapists have developed techniques to modify behavior involving the manipulation of imagery events. These investigators have somewhat different conceptual models. Some label themselves as cognitive behavior modifiers (Meichenbaum, 1974; Lazarus, 1971; Mahoney, 1974; Goldfried and Davison, 1976). In this model, cognitions (such as talking to oneself, problem-solving, or imagery) are conceptualized as mediators of behaviors, and faulty cognitive patterns are assumed to be at least partly responsible for aberrant affect and behavior. In the cognitive model therapeutic improvement depends upon the alteration of such patterns.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Boston College, Boston, Massachusetts, 02109, USA

    Joseph R. Cautela & Leigh McCullough

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  1. Joseph R. Cautela
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  2. Leigh McCullough
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Yale University, USA

    Jerome L. Singer

  2. Brentwood Veterans Administration Hospital, Los Angeles, California, USA

    Kenneth S. Pope

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© 1978 Plenum Press, New York

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Cautela, J.R., McCullough, L. (1978). Covert Conditioning: A Learning-Theory Perspective on Imagery. In: Singer, J.L., Pope, K.S. (eds) The Power of Human Imagination. Emotions, Personality, and Psychotherapy. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-3941-0_8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-3941-0_8

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

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  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4613-3941-0

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