Covert conditioning: what is it, what are its phases and techniques?

This model, associated with behaviorism, is based on psychological training based on imagination.

Behaviorism is one of the best known paradigms of psychology throughout history. throughout history, being characteristic its almost exclusive focus on human behavior based on the principles of learning through the association between stimuli. Born as opposed to psychoanalysis, it proposed the need to focus only on the observable aspects, and without considering for the most part the participation of the mind as something scientifically studyable.

It would not be until the arrival of cognitivism that cognition and other mental capacities would make their appearance in the scientific and empirical models of our mind and behavior, although before its appearance there was already an opening on the part of the behaviorist current to the exploration and incorporation of less directly observable aspects.

Thus, both paradigms are closely related, and there are even some theoretical models and therapeutic modalities that work from an intermediate point between both paradigms. A clear example of this is the so-called covert conditioning..

Covert conditioning

Covert conditioning is one of the best known psychological models based on the conditioning of behaviors. Like the rest of conditioning, the model considers that our behaviors can be understood on the basis of the association made between stimuli, responses and consequences (more stimuli). on the basis of the association made between stimuli, responses and consequences of the latter (more stimuli), generating new associations when their occurrence is coordinated.It is possible to alter the frequency of a particular response based on its consequences. Applied in therapy, this would allow us to modify a dysfunctional response or to learn a specific behavior.

However, contrary to non-covert models, the elements that would be used to modify behavior would be cognitive and not physical. In fact, the existence of non-directly observable or covert factors (such as thinking) is observed to be the basis of behavior modification. are the basis of behavior modification and which serve as the basis for covert conditioning. Specifically, one of the most relevant factors is the use of imagination as a fundamental variable.

It is considered that the main father and proponent of covert conditioning was Joseph Cautela, who would begin to apply the main principles of conditioning to cognitive elements such as symbolization, language and imagination.who would begin to apply the main principles of conditioning to cognitive elements such as symbolization, language and imagination. However, it is also worth mentioning the important role of other authors such as Wolpe and Homme, who would serve as precursors, the former by creating systematic desensitization (from which a considerable proportion of covert techniques are largely based) and the latter by demonstrating that elements such as language could be controlled at the experimental level.

His theory

This model does not start from nothing, but is based on different basic assumptions or principles.

In the first place it is based on the principle of homogeneity between overt and covert behaviors.In other words, it is assumed that the conclusions that can be drawn from overt phenomena can also be applied to covert phenomena.

The second principle is that of interaction between the twoThe second principle is that of interaction between the two: the manifest and the covert processes interact (for example, in order to relax physically we think of concrete situations). The third and last one proposes that both the observable and manifest and the covert follow the same laws of learning.

The research carried out seems to reflect these assumptions, being able to use the same techniques in imagination as in vivo and seeing that there is a palpable effect of the interaction between covert and overt elements.

Basic procedure: phases

Covert conditioning can be applied through different techniques, which we will see later on. However, regardless of the technique used a specific process divided into different phases is usually employed..

1. Educational phase

At first the professional explains the model and the technique to be used to the patient, clearing the patient's doubts and justifying the reason for the use of this technique..

2. Evaluation and imagination training phase

The use of techniques based on covert conditioning requires a certain capacity for imagination and visualization, these aspects being something in which different patients may differ greatly. Thus, it will be necessary to assess the patient's ability to form mental images and to put himself in different situations through the imaginationand in cases where it is necessary to train him/her to do so.

3. Phase of application of covert conditioning in the consultation room

During this phase, covert conditioning will be applied in a controlled situation. Initially, conditioning will be generated by associating mental images of behaviors and consequences, making a large number of pairings. About twenty trials are recommended. Gradually the patient will reduce the level of help he/she gets from the professional as he/she masters the technique. as he/she masters the technique.

4. Consolidation and generalization phase

This last phase is focused on making the patient capable of doing the conditioning on his own and making him more and more autonomous, also programming tasks for home.

Techniques based on this model

We have previously reflected the basic phases of techniques based on covert conditioning. However, there are a large number of techniques that can be used in the treatment of the problems presented by the patient. Some of the most relevant are the following.

1. Positive reinforcement/covert negative reinforcement

Covert reinforcement, whether positive or negative, is based on the fact of generating some type of stimulation or consequence that provokes an increase in the probability of repetition of the behavior to be generated or increase the probability of repetition of the behavior to be generated. an increase in the probability of repetition of the behavior to be generated or increased, but in imagination.but in imagination.

It seeks to bring the patient closer to the realization of the behavior, often used together with systematic desensitization to reduce reactions such as anxiety. In the case of positive reinforcement we would use some type of appetitive stimulation for the subject, while in negative reinforcement we would use the withdrawal of an aversive stimulus. It is used in situations such as exposure in phobias, inhibited or avoidance behaviors in other disorders or for learning skills.

2. Covert sensitization

Covert sensitization is based on the reduction of the probability of emission of a behavior through the presentation of an aversive stimulus contingent to that behavior. It seeks to inhibit or reduce the response by generating negative responses such as anxiety to the occurrence of the behavior. It is used in addictions and paraphilias, for example..

It would be equivalent to positive punishment, in which a behavior is reduced (punishment) by adding (positive) an undesirable and annoying stimulus. Being covert, what would be done is to imagine the problematic behavior to be reduced or eliminated associated with aversive situations.

There is a modality, the assisted covert, in which in reality a real stimulation is applied in spite of a real stimulation is applied even though the aversiveness is imaginary.. In cases where there is a lot of anxiety or difficulty in imagining oneself, it can be done vicariously: imagining someone else doing the behavior and suffering the negative consequences.

3. Covert response cost

Equivalent to the negative punishment or response cost, it is based on the decrease in the probability of performing a behavior through the withdrawal of an appetitive stimulus.. The subject is made to associate the performance of behavior with the withdrawal of a reinforcer. It is used for example in paraphilias or in other types of maladaptive responses.

4. Covert modeling

Modeling is a technique in which the observation and subsequent repetition of a behavior is sought through the visualization of a model that performs it. In the case of covert modeling, the model in question would not physically exist, but the subject would have to imagine a a subject other than oneself performing the activity to be trained. Little by little and through repetitions, the imagined model becomes more and more similar to the subject.

It is recommended that the model is first hesitant and presents some difficulty, and then performs the action with great mastery. Finally, the patient is asked to imagine himself performing the action without difficulties and mastering the situation. The main objective is the learning of new behaviors, similar to positive reinforcement.

5. Covert assertion

Based on self-control, this technique is based on the reduction of negative emotions and cognitions towards oneself. negative emotions and cognitions towards oneself that make it difficult to achieve success in meeting objectives or coping with or overcoming a situation through the use of positive verbalizations. Thus, the aim would be to reduce self-criticism through the generation of positive assertions that generate well-being.

6. Self-control triad

Technique designed by Cautela himself that includes elements such as thought stopping (which in itself is another covert conditioning technique) or behavior in which the subject subvocally orders himself to stop the behavior or thought to be reduced.The subject is then asked to perform relaxation exercises such as breathing and then visualization of positive scenes.

Bibliographical references

• Dahab, J.; Rivadeneira, C. and Minici, A. (2005). The techniques of covert conditioning. Revista de Terapia Cognitivo Conductual, 9. CETECIC.
• Almendro, M.T.; Díaz, M. and Jiménez, G. (2012). Psychotherapies. Manual CEDE de Preparación PIR, 06. CEDE: Madrid.