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Behaviour Therapies> Operant-Based Behaviour Therapy - Thought Stopping

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Topics

Estimated time: 11 minutes
  • Meaning
  • Origin/Development
  • Procedure
  • How it works?
  • Key Points: Thought Stopping
CISCE: Class 12

Meaning

  • Thought stopping is a behavioural technique used to control unwanted, repetitive, and distressing thoughts.
  • It is applied when certain thoughts or images keep coming into a person’s mind and feel uncontrollable.
  • The main aim of thought stopping is to interrupt and reduce these disturbing thoughts.
CISCE: Class 12

Origin / Development

  • The thought-stopping technique was introduced by J. G. Taylor in 1955.
  • It was further developed and used in behaviour therapy by Joseph Wolpe in 1973.
  • Today it is considered one of the classic behavioural methods for managing intrusive thoughts.
CISCE: Class 12

Procedure

  • Client closes eyes and deliberately thinks of the offending thought.
  • The client signals when the disturbing thought or image becomes clear.
  • The therapist immediately shouts “STOP IT!” to break the thought.
  • The client is later instructed to say “STOP” to themselves when such thoughts arise.
CISCE: Class 12

How it works?

  • Repeated “STOP” becomes an unpleasant or aversive stimulus.
  • Behaviour followed by an aversive stimulus occurs less often.
  • Unwanted thought is the behaviour, and “STOP” is the aversive cue.
  • The technique works through avoidance conditioning and reduces anxiety.
CISCE: Class 12

Key Points: Thought Stopping

  • A behavioural technique used to control unwanted and repetitive thoughts.
  • Developed by J. G. Taylor (1955) and later by Joseph Wolpe (1973).
  • The therapist says “STOP” when the disturbing thought occurs; later, the client uses it themselves.
  • “STOP” acts as an aversive cue, reducing the frequency of the unwanted thoughts.
  • It helps reduce anxiety and interrupt intrusive thinking.

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