Systematic Desensitization Case Study
Original Theory:
The technique of Systematic Desensitization was developed by Dr. Joseph Wolpe, after the result of a series of experiment, in which he made cats fearful of certain situations by applying repeated electrical shocks to them. He noted that the neurotic cats showed fearful behaviours and the inhibition of certain behaviours, like eating in the situations in which they had been shocked. He also noted that if such cats were induced to eat in situations that were somewhat like those in which they had received the shock, and then further induced to eat in situations gradually approximating the original shock situation, and then they would gradually lose their neurotic fears and inhibitions.
Conceptual Framework:
Jones (1924) described the successful treatment of a neurotic child, using eating as the reciprocal inhibitor.
Wolpe (1964) described the successful treatment an 18 year old male with a severe handwashing compulsion, using Systematic Desensitization. The disorder involved a fear of contaminating others with urine.
Systematic desensitization is highly effective where the problem is a learned anxiety of specific objects/situations, e.g. phobias (McGrath et al., 1990).
Empirical evidence:
Lang et al. (1963) used systematic desensitization with a group of college students who were all suffering from a snake phobia. They …show more content…
Mark was significantly medication resistant. He was referred to Cognitive and Behavioural Techniques for his delusions. He reported that he could not go out because he felt people coughed wherever he went. This coughing indicated a conspiracy of aliens to replace the left over humans on Earth. Also, he had a phobia of dogs. He felt that he would be attacked by dogs, which was later associated to an old experience. These reasons stopped him from leaving his house. Mark placed his fear of dog on the top of the list. The hierarchy of fear causing stimuli was
The technique of Systematic Desensitization was developed by Dr. Joseph Wolpe, after the result of a series of experiment, in which he made cats fearful of certain situations by applying repeated electrical shocks to them. He noted that the neurotic cats showed fearful behaviours and the inhibition of certain behaviours, like eating in the situations in which they had been shocked. He also noted that if such cats were induced to eat in situations that were somewhat like those in which they had received the shock, and then further induced to eat in situations gradually approximating the original shock situation, and then they would gradually lose their neurotic fears and inhibitions.
Conceptual Framework:
Jones (1924) described the successful treatment of a neurotic child, using eating as the reciprocal inhibitor.
Wolpe (1964) described the successful treatment an 18 year old male with a severe handwashing compulsion, using Systematic Desensitization. The disorder involved a fear of contaminating others with urine.
Systematic desensitization is highly effective where the problem is a learned anxiety of specific objects/situations, e.g. phobias (McGrath et al., 1990).
Empirical evidence:
Lang et al. (1963) used systematic desensitization with a group of college students who were all suffering from a snake phobia. They …show more content…
Mark was significantly medication resistant. He was referred to Cognitive and Behavioural Techniques for his delusions. He reported that he could not go out because he felt people coughed wherever he went. This coughing indicated a conspiracy of aliens to replace the left over humans on Earth. Also, he had a phobia of dogs. He felt that he would be attacked by dogs, which was later associated to an old experience. These reasons stopped him from leaving his house. Mark placed his fear of dog on the top of the list. The hierarchy of fear causing stimuli was