Progressive Exposure
The second component of systematic desensitization is gradual exposure to the feared object(s) or situation(s). Continuing with the snake example, a therapist might begin by asking the patient to develop a fear hierarchy which would list the relative unpleasantness of various levels of exposure to a snake. For example, seeing a picture of a snake might elicit a low fear rating, compared to the imagery of live snakes crawling on the individual---the latter scenario becoming highest on the fear hierarchy. Next, the patient would be presented with increasingly unpleasant levels of the feared stimuli, from lowest to highest---while utilizing deep relaxation techniques (i.e. progressive muscle relaxation). The imagined stimuli used in the previous example might include: a picture of a snake; a small snake in a nearby room; a snake in full view; touching of the snake, etc. At each step in the imagined progression, the patient is desensitized to the phobia through exposure to the stimulus, and while in a state of relaxation. As the fear hierarchy is unlearned, anxiety gradually becomes extinguished.
Read more about this topic: Systematic Desensitization
Famous quotes containing the word progressive:
“A radical is one of whom people say “He goes too far.” A conservative, on the other hand, is one who “doesn’t go far enough.” Then there is the reactionary, “one who doesn’t go at all.” All these terms are more or less objectionable, wherefore we have coined the term “progressive.” I should say that a progressive is one who insists upon recognizing new facts as they present themselves—one who adjusts legislation to these new facts.”
—Woodrow Wilson (1856–1924)