An operant reinforcement method of treating depression

A method of treating depression based on an operant reinforcement perspective was evaluated with 29 depressed persons. The procedure included increased reinforcer utilization, behavioral contrast, overcorrection, reinforcer sampling and stimulus control by positive events. Also, training was given in skills related to the cause of the depression such as communication, job-finding, marital and study skills. A behavioral measure of individual goal attainment was taken in addition to three common subjective measures. Improvement occurred after the first two sessions, increased with successive sessions, and was maintained at follow-up with a mean of 87% goal attainment and a 78% reduction of self-rated unhappiness. The degree and speed of improvement on the behavioral, as well as subjective, measures seemed at least as great as obtained by previous cognitive or behavioral programs.