Page 517 - Understanding Psychology

Counterconditioning
One technique used by behavior therapists is counterconditioning. This technique pairs the stimulus that triggers an unwanted behavior (such as the fear of snakes) with a new, more desirable behavior. The ther- apist helps the client reduce anxiety by pairing relaxation with anxiety- producing situations. Counterconditioning is a three-step process: (1) the person builds an anxiety hierarchy with the least feared situation on the bottom and the most feared situation on top; (2) the person learns deep muscle relaxation; (3) the person imagines or experiences each step in the hierarchy, starting with the least anxiety-provoking situation, while learn- ing to be relaxed. Since it is impossible to maintain both relaxation and anxiety, the idea is to teach the person that the situation does not have to be anxiety producing. Using the anxiety hierarchy, the person progresses through each step after successfully completing the previous one.
Systematic desensitization is a counterconditioning technique used to overcome irrational fears and anxieties the patient has learned (Wolpe, 1961). The goal of systematic desensitization therapy is to encourage people to imagine the feared situation while relaxing, thus extinguishing the fear response (see Figure
17.10). For example, suppose a student is ter-
rified of speaking in front of large groups—
that, in fact, his stage fright is so tremendous
that he is unable to speak when called upon
in class. How would systematic desensitiza-
tion therapy effectively change this person’s
behavior?
The therapist might have the student make a list of the frightening aspects of talk- ing to others. Perhaps the most frightening aspect is actually standing before an audi- ence, whereas the least frightening is speak- ing to a single other person. The client ranks these fears, from the most frightening on down. Then the therapist begins teaching the client muscle relaxation. Once he knows how to relax completely, the client is ready for the next step. The client tries to imagine as vividly as possible the least disturbing scene on his list of fears. Thinking about speaking to a single stranger may cause mild anxiety. Because the therapist has taught him how to relax, he learns to think about the experience without feeling anxious. The basic logic is that a person cannot feel anxious and relaxed at the same time. The therapist attempts to replace anxiety with its opposite, relaxation, through counter- conditioning.
systematic desensitiza- tion: a technique to help a patient overcome irrational fears and anxieties
Figure 17.10 Losing Fears
Counterconditioning techniques, such as sys- tematic desensitization, are used to help people overcome their irrational fears and anxieties. What steps might be used to desensitize a child’s fear of the dark?
4 Most anxious situation
3 Noleash
2 Moves closer
1 Alexa has an irrational
fear of dogs (least anxious situation)
Chapter 17 / Therapy and Change 503