Interventions Based on Counter Conditioning

Question 1

interventions based on COUNTERCONDITIONING

Answer 1

Counterconditioning:

1. Behavioral technique to eliminate a maladaptive behavior by pairing a stimulus (CS) associated with that behavior with a stimulus (US) that naturally elicites an incompatible behavior.
   
   1. maladaptive behavior is replaced by the incompatible behavior
2. Reciprocal Inhibition: (Wolpe): if a response antagonistic to anxiety can be made to occur in the presence of anxiety-evoking stimuli so that it is accompanied by a complete or partial suppression of the anxiety responses, the bond between these stimuli and the anxiety responses will be weakened.
   
   1. **Systematic Desensitization: **hierarchically arranged anxiety evoking events are paired with relaxation to eliminate the anxiety. 4 stages
      
      1. Relaxation Training: teaches client to use a technique that produces a state or relaxation. Systematically tensing and relaxing all of the body’s major muscle groups. common cues: ‘i’m relaxed’ taking a breath, picturing a relaxing scene.
      2. _Construction of an Anxiety Hierarchy: _events related to the target behavior that are ordered on the basis of the amount of anxiety evoked.
         
         1. Subjective Units of Distress Scale (SUDS) taken: rates ranges of events from 0 (calm) to 100 (hell). 10-15 rated items/situations used in hierarchy.
      3. _Desensitization in Imagination: _least anxiety-evoking item used first, use relaxation training, imagine the anxiety item, signals when anxious, reestablish relaxation. When the item no longer produces anxiety/relaxation cycle, the next SUDS item used.
      4. _In Vivo Desensitization: _after desensitized to about 75-85% of items, they begin to confront anxiety arousing items in vivo if possible. highly structured, only those situations that correspond to hierarchy items that have been successfully desensitized in imagination.

Evaluation: **Dismantling Strategy: **

• training in an incompatible response and gradual exposure to anxiety evoking events are not the essential components of systematic desensitization, it is EXTINCTION (repeated exposure of the CS w/o the US i.e. exposure) as the primary factor responsible for its effects. (rat but no loud noise).

Question 2

Behavioral Sex Therapy

Answer 2

counterconditioning also effective treatment performance anxiety via Behavioral Sex Therapy

Masters/Johnson’s: Sensate focus pairs situations that evoke performance anxiety with pleasurable physical sensations and relaxation.

take it slow, with non-genital touching and then works up to more physical pleasure/anxiety provoking touching.

Most Effective for Premature Ejaculation (squeeze technique) and Vaginismus (relatxation and progressive dilators)