National Certified Addiction Counselor, Level 2 (NCAC II) Practice Exam Exam

Which method of behavioral therapy is based on the principle of learning by observing the consequences of others' behaviors?

1. Classical Conditioning

2. Operant Conditioning

3. Social Learning Approach

4. Negative Reinforcement

The correct answer is: Social Learning Approach

The Social Learning Approach is rooted in the concept that individuals can learn new behaviors and understand the consequences of those behaviors by observing others. This method emphasizes the role of observational learning, imitation, and modeling. It highlights how people can acquire behaviors without direct experience but instead by watching and analyzing the behaviors of others, along with the rewards or punishments those individuals face for their actions. For example, if a client observes a peer successfully resisting substance use and receiving positive feedback from others, they may be more inclined to adopt similar behaviors. This approach recognizes the importance of social context and the influence of social norms and relationships on behavior change, making it particularly relevant in addiction counseling. The other options represent distinct methods of behavioral therapy: Classical Conditioning focuses on associating a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus to create a conditioned response; Operant Conditioning is about learning through the consequences of actions—rewards increase behaviors while punishments decrease them; and Negative Reinforcement involves the removal of an unpleasant stimulus to reinforce a desired behavior. While these techniques are valuable in their own right, they do not specifically focus on learning through the observation of others, which is the hallmark of the Social Learning Approach.