Your Theoretical OrientationGiven your study of the different theories presented in this course, and some others you may know about, it is time to articulate your theoretical orientation. This assignment will help you describe and explain which theoretical orientation resonates most with you as you think about your future work with clients. Having such a framework is critical as it guides your conceptualization of clients' issues and your plans for their treatment. Interestingly, theoretical orientations are not static; you may shift and change over time as you have additional experience in the field and read about emerging theories and therapy. In this course, however, it is important that you share with others where you are "on the road" to your chosen orientation.To prepare for this Discussion:Review the prior weeks and resources in this course and ask yourself the following questions: • How do I think a client's challenges or problems originate? • What do I think are the necessary conditions for client growth and change? • How do I think change occurs? • What is the psychologist's role in creating change? What is the client's role? • How would I know when change has occurred or treatment is successful? • How do I account for both individual differences and environmental influences in the change process? • Which theory best helps me frame my thoughts concerning my work with clients?With these thoughts in mind: Post an explanation of your current thinking about your theoretical orientation. Share with your colleagues how you arrived at this orientation, what about it resonates with you, and how confident you are about this selection at this point in your career. Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references and use empirically supported research to support your points of view.

Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is heavily influenced by operant conditioning. The vast majority of your curriculum in ABA focuses on operant conditioning and its applications. However, respondent (classical) conditioning also has its appropriate applications in ABA. The behaviorist assumptions that all learning occurs through observable interactions with the environment and the environment shapes behavior set the stage for respondent (classical) conditioning.  Perhaps you, or someone you know, was the victim of bullying at school. The bullying often creates emotional distress for the victim. Using the behaviorist assumptions, bullying is the interaction with the environment and the emotional distress is the behavior, or reflex, shaped by the environment. Classical conditioning involves placing a neutral signal before a naturally occurring reflex. If a neutral stimulus (e.g., school) is paired with the bullying, school will come to evoke the emotional distress. At this point, the once neutral stimulus becomes known as the conditioned stimulus and evokes a learned, conditioned response of emotional distress. Quantifying and collecting data about observable behaviors can be used to identify effective, evidence-based therapeutic interventions that can be helpful in changing undesirable behaviors. For this Assignment, you will evaluate the role of respondent (classical) conditioning and how it might be used in practice to better understand a client’s behavior.  To Prepare: Review this week’s Learning Resources to gain an understanding of respondent (classical) conditioning. Consider how respondent (classical) conditioning might be used to better understand client behavior.  Why is it important to not forget the role of respondent (classical) conditioning as a practicing behavior analyst?  Give an original example of how respondent (classical) conditioning could be used in your practice to better understand a client’s behavior.