Behavior therapy focuses on which of the following?

Present behavior and thoughts

The correct answer is option 3: Present behavior and thoughts

Behavior therapy is based on the principles of learning theories, such as classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and observational learning. Its primary focus is on:

• Identifying and modifying maladaptive behaviors and thoughts

• Addressing present issues, rather than exploring past experiences or future aspirations

• Using techniques like reinforcement, modeling, exposure, and cognitive restructuring to bring about change

Behavior therapy operates on the belief that current behavior is learned and can be unlearned or reshaped through practical interventions.

NCERT: Behavior therapies propose that psychological distress stems from faulty behavior patterns or thought patterns. Consequently, the focus of behavior therapy is on addressing the client's present behavior and thoughts. While understanding the origins of these faulty patterns may involve exploring the client's past, the past itself is not actively relived or reenacted in therapy. Instead, the primary aim is to correct and modify the faulty patterns in the present, promoting healthier and more adaptive behaviors and thoughts. By targeting the present and working towards positive change, behavior therapy aims to alleviate psychological distress.