Awareness: An Understudied Cognitive Factor in Behavior Therapy

Taking into consideration the importance of cognitive factors in behavior therapy, this article argues that the role played by awareness has until now been understudied in this field of therapy. A review of the literature concerning verbal conditioning, classical conditioning, knowledge of results as reinforcement, self-monitoring, effectiveness of covert and overt practice in the treatment of phobics, perception of self efficacy, and treatment by habit reversal indicates that awareness is an implicit variable present in each case. A reinterpretation of these areas of research is presented. In addition, when this variable is evaluated systematically, the results indicate that the therapeutic impact of awareness has been underestimated. Some potential clinical applications of this position are discussed as are some new avenues of research.