This paper provides a review of behavioral models of depression highlighting the problems associated with its historical emphasis on lowered frequencies of positive reinforcement. We analyzed the models of Ferster and Lewinsohn in their theoretical approach, methodology and application. We conducted a review of the suppressive characteristics exercised by punishment, by the presentation of non-contingent aversive stimulation and by operant extinction. A number of recommendations are made concerning how these processes can inform interventions. We conclude that interventions geared towards identifying aversive control play a promising role in clinical change in the treatment of depression. Keywords: Aversive Control, Response-Contingent Positive Reinforcement, Depression, Clinical Behavior Analysis, Functional Assessment, Behavioral Activation.The present article aims to revisit the principles of behavioral models of depression by emphasizing advancements in the field, as well as providing a critique of the dominant models. With this goal in mind, we aim to re-direct the conceptual analysis towards an understanding of the environmental variables frequently observed in the behaviors of depressed individuals. Drawing from the existing literature, we propose possible variables associated with behavioral suppression and its mechanisms during the development and course of depressive behavior repertories. Three particular behavioral processes are considered: (1) suppressive characteristics exercised by punishment, (2) the presentation of non-contingent aversive stimulation, and (3) operant extinction. We begin with a discussion of the dominant models of depression, followed by a critique, and we conclude with a discussion of how each of these processes can inform clinical interventions.
Models of depressionBehavioral analysis, in addition to advocating for a pragmatic approach to control and prediction of behavior (Skinner 1974(Skinner /1976, is concerned with promoting an understanding of clinical phenomenon in order to create effective interventions. With this goal in mind, behavioral analysis has studied depression for decades, describing this type of behavioral phenomena along contextual and behavioral lines. In order to understand behavioral variations observed in depressed clients, it is necessary to understand the variables responsible as cause and maintenance of the feelings of dysphoria present throughout the history of the individual . This process can be reached by identifying the "depressive" contingencies, which involves identifying the antecedent events and consequences of the depressive behaviors of interest. Taken together, the problem behaviors, the antecedent and consequential events form the unit of analysis referred to as "triple contingency" (Skinner, 1953(Skinner, /1965. Behavioral analysis focuses on the application of this analytical tool in order to understand the context in which depressive repertories are taking place. This perspective offers possibilities of clinical interventions. E...