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.