How to Be Psychologist - Behaviorist - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Jun 21, 2020 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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The behavior of humans is a complex phenomenon and an area of psychology that seeks to understand and explain it is called behaviorism. It is a school of thought that focuses on the observable behavior of individuals and the environment in which such behavior occurs. The basic principle of behaviorism is that behavior is a result of environmental influences and stimuli, rather than internal states or processes such as thoughts, beliefs, or emotions.

As such, behavior can be altered by manipulating the environment in certain ways, and this has been used in a variety of fields ranging from education to criminal justice. For example, positive reinforcement has been used to reward desirable behaviors and punish undesirable ones. operant conditioning has been used to shape behavior by rewarding desired behaviors and withholding rewards for undesired ones.

behaviorism seeks to understand and explain how our environment shapes our behavior and how we can use this to our advantage.

Steps How to Become

Earn a Bachelors Degree. Most psychologists begin their educational journey by obtaining a bachelors degree in psychology or a related field. Generally, a bachelors degree requires four years of study and provides students with the foundational knowledge of psychology.
Obtain a Masters Degree. After completing a bachelors degree, students should then pursue a Master's degree in psychology. During this two-year program, students learn the theories, skills and techniques needed to practice psychology in a professional setting.
Complete an Internship. Before becoming licensed psychologists, behaviorists must complete a supervised internship in order to gain experience in the field. This typically includes counseling individuals, families and groups in a clinical setting.
Take the Exam. Most states require psychologists to pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) in order to receive their license. The exam consists of 225 multiple-choice questions that test the students knowledge of psychological theory and practice.
Pursue Continuing Education. After receiving their license, many psychologists choose to pursue continuing education courses in order to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and techniques in the field. Many universities and organizations offer these courses online or in-person.
Obtain Specialization. Many psychologists choose to specialize in certain areas of psychology such as behavioral psychology or clinical psychology. Specialization typically requires additional education and supervised experience.

Keeping updated and efficient requires dedication and focus. To remain productive, it is important to stay informed of the latest trends in the field and to constantly seek out new knowledge. By regularly reading professional literature and attending seminars, you can stay ahead of the curve.

setting achievable goals and breaking them down into manageable tasks can help keep you on track and motivated. Finally, it is important to take regular breaks to give yourself time to rest and recharge. Taking these steps will help ensure that you remain efficient and up-to-date in your field.

You may want to check Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Applied Behavior Analysis Technician, and Applied Behavioral Science Consultant for alternative.

Job Description

Clinical Psychologist
Cognitive Psychologist
Counseling Psychologist
Developmental Psychologist
Experimental Psychologist
Forensic Psychologist
Health Psychologist
Industrial-Organizational Psychologist
Neuropsychologist
School Psychologist
Social Psychologist
Behavior Analyst

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of psychology theories and principles
Understanding of the different types of behavior
Knowledge of the factors that influence behavior
Ability to recognize patterns and identify key issues
Ability to develop effective interventions and treatment plans
Ability to observe and assess behavior objectively
Ability to provide feedback and interpret results effectively
Ability to collaborate with other professionals
Knowledge of ethical standards in psychology
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Being a successful psychologist-behaviorist requires a range of skills that help to identify, understand, and influence the behavior of their patients. The most important skill to have is the ability to listen, observe, and be highly attuned to the patients needs. This requires patience, empathy and understanding, as well as the capacity to recognize patterns in the patient's behavior.

A psychologist-behaviorist must also be able to assess the situation and come up with appropriate strategies to help the patient. They should be able to provide a safe, trusting environment, while also being able to set boundaries and expectations. Having an understanding of different psychological theories is important, as is the ability to analyze data and draw conclusions.

Being able to effectively communicate with the patient is also important, as is the ability to collaborate with other professionals when needed. All of these skills are essential for any successful psychologist-behaviorist.

Applied Behaviorist, Behaviorist Consultant, and Developmental Behaviorist are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have working with patients with mental health issues?
How do you stay current in your field?
How do you handle a situation where a patient is resistant to treatment?
What strategies have you used to help patients cope with anxiety and depression?
What techniques do you use to assess a patient's behavior and needs?
Describe a time when you successfully developed a treatment plan for a patient.
How do you ensure that ethical standards are maintained in your practice?
Describe your experience working with families and caregivers of patients.
What methods do you use to help patients develop better coping skills?
Describe a challenging case you have worked on and how you overcame it.

Common Tools in Industry

Systematic Desensitization. A technique used to help people overcome fears and phobias by gradually exposing them to the object or situation that causes them distress. (eg: A behaviorist may use systematic desensitization to help a patient overcome their fear of spiders).
Token Economies. A system of behavior modification that uses tokens or points to reinforce desired behaviors. (eg: A token economy can be used by a behaviorist to reward a child with tokens for completing tasks on time).
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). A form of psychotherapy that helps people recognize and challenge negative thoughts in order to change their behavior. (eg: A behaviorist may use CBT to help a patient identify and challenge thoughts that lead to harmful behaviors).
Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA). A form of therapy that looks at how environmental factors affect behavior. (eg: A behaviorist may use ABA to help children with autism learn to communicate more effectively with others).
Modeling. A technique that involves demonstrating desired behaviors, so that others can imitate them. (eg: A behaviorist may use modeling to show a client how to manage their anxiety in social situations).

Professional Organizations to Know

American Psychological Association
Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies
American Board of Professional Psychology
Academy of Cognitive Therapy
American Association of Applied and Preventive Psychology
Association for Behavioral Analysis International
Society for the Experimental Analysis of Behavior
Association for the Advancement of Behavior Therapy
International Society for the Study of Behavioral Development
Behavior Analysis Certification Board

We also have Behavioral Health Coordinator, Behavioral Therapist, and Child Developmental Behaviorist jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Behavioral Therapy. A form of psychotherapy that focuses on changing negative or maladaptive behaviors in order to improve psychological well-being.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). A type of psychotherapy that combines cognitive and behavioral techniques to help a person make changes in the way they think and behave.
Operant Conditioning. A type of learning where behavior is modified by its consequences.
Reinforcement. The process of strengthening behavior through rewards or punishments.
Positive Reinforcement. The process of strengthening behavior through rewards.
Negative Reinforcement. The process of strengthening behavior through punishments.
Extinction. The process of weakening behavior by removing rewards or punishments.
Shaping. The process of gradually guiding a person's behavior toward a desired outcome.
Modeling. The process of imitating the behavior of another person in order to learn a new behavior or change an existing one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is a Psychologist-Behaviorist? A1: A Psychologist-Behaviorist is a mental health professional who specializes in the study of behavior and its underlying causes. They focus on understanding how our environment, thoughts, and emotions shape our behavior and how we can alter our behavior to achieve desired outcomes. Q2: What techniques do Psychologist-Behaviorists use? A2: Psychologist-Behaviorists typically use behavior modification techniques such as positive reinforcement, modeling, shaping, and extinction to change behaviors. They also use observational learning, problem-solving strategies, and cognitive restructuring to help clients better understand and modify their thoughts and emotions. Q3: How long does it take to become a Psychologist-Behaviorist? A3: It usually takes around 7-8 years to become a Psychologist-Behaviorist. This includes completing a doctoral degree, completing supervised clinical experience, and passing a licensing exam. Q4: What kind of work do Psychologist-Behaviorists do? A4: Psychologist-Behaviorists typically work with clients of all ages in individual, couples, family, or group sessions. They often work with people with behavioral issues such as anxiety, depression, addiction, and trauma. They also provide assessments, diagnostic evaluations, and treatment plans to clients. Q5: What type of salary can a Psychologist-Behaviorist expect? A5: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for psychologists in 2019 was $80,370. The salary range for Psychologist-Behaviorists varies depending on experience and location.