Question

Pick a phobia someone might have and explain how you would use systematic desensitization to treat it. How are extinction and generalization important parts of this procedure?

Answer 1

Let us take an example of Arachnophobia that is fear of spiders .We will use the systematic desensitization technique to remove the phobia. It is a type of behavioral therapy .In this htpray as we know the fear response is replaced by the relaxation response towards the stimulus which is conditional in nature .A counter conditioning technique is used . It involves three stages .

In the first stage the patient is helped to learn muscle relaxation technique . This involves deep breathing , meditation etc .It involves reciprocal inhibition .In the second stage a fear hierarchical table is created .For example in our case thinking of spider has less rating than seeing a real spider .It helps in creating a structure of the therapy .In the next stage we will move the patient up in the hierarchical table. Patients are told to practice relaxation techniques on the different hierarchical levels. Once the patient is comfortable on level then we move up .If the client doesn't perform well we will simply move to the lower stage .The process is repeated again and again . In the end when stimulus doesn't show any signs of anxiety then the therapy is considered as effective or successful .

Extinction and generalization are important in the procedure because they lead to decrease in fear . But when they are combined they result in rapid response reductions to the stimulus .It fades away the non reinforced responce .This response is conditioned in nature .