Classical conditioning theory, phobia; automatic reflex acquired as response to a non-dangerous stimulus. Little Albert (Watson & Rayner) acquired fear of rats when ‘learned’ to associate sight of white rat with fright of hammer crashing down on steel behind his head. After seven trials, Albert became frightened, backed away from white rat every time he saw it. Behaviour therapy could have been used to counter Albert’s conditioning by exposing him to the phobic stimulus while pairing the sight of the white rat with something pleasant until the fear response was reduced and extinguished.
During Systematic Desensitisation, patient trained to substitute relaxation response for the fear response in the presence of the phobic stimulus. Since this is unlikely to occur naturally, behaviour therapy can help by exposing phobics to their fears in a safe and controlled setting. Systematic Desensitisation devised/developed by Wolpe (1958); help clients overcome their phobias.
First; patient is trained to relax. Relaxation techniques, deep muscle relaxation, tranquillisers. Second; draws up a list of his most frightening scenarios, from least to most; fear hierarchy.Third; progress through the scenarios, beginning with least frightening, learned to stay relaxed. Sometimes patient asked to imagine these frightening situations, but therapy more effective if situation is real.
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