Marital Therapy: An Integrative Behavioral-Learning Model*

An Integrative Model of marital therapy, based on behavioral-learning approaches and other current conceptions and marital therapy practices, was tested in' a four-stage therapy program. Treatment couples, as opposed to normal controls and clinical couples in a waiting-list condition, showed significant increase in caring (as measured by Shostrom's Caring Relationship Inventory) and satisfaction with the relationship (as measured by the Kelly-Tharp Marriage Role Questionnaire). Furthermore, the observed changes were attributable to the incremental treatment procedures, and positively correlated with gain scores on a learning-in-therapy measure. The clinical utility of the model, and the theoretical and methodological implications of the study are discussed.