Systematic desensitization is categorized as which type of therapy?

Systematic desensitization is categorized as which type of therapy?

• A. Cognitive
• B. Psychoanalytic
• C. Behavioral
• D. Humanistic

Answer: (C)

Systematic desensitization is a behavioral therapy technique that uses learning to reduce fear. The approach combines gradual exposure to a feared stimulus with learned relaxation to replace the anxious response with a calm one. The process typically involves building a fear hierarchy (from least to most anxiety-provoking), teaching a relaxation skill (like progressive muscle relaxation), and then pairing relaxation with each step of the hierarchy until the person can confront the feared situation without the same level of anxiety. This is rooted in classical conditioning (counterconditioning) and reciprocal inhibition, where a relaxed state counteracts the fear response. It is not about analyzing unconscious conflicts (psychoanalytic), changing internal thoughts with cognitive restructuring (cognitive), or focusing on self-actualization and personal growth in a non-directive way (humanistic). Therefore, it fits best as a behavioral therapy.

Systematic desensitization is a behavioral therapy technique that uses learning to reduce fear. The approach combines gradual exposure to a feared stimulus with learned relaxation to replace the anxious response with a calm one. The process typically involves building a fear hierarchy (from least to most anxiety-provoking), teaching a relaxation skill (like progressive muscle relaxation), and then pairing relaxation with each step of the hierarchy until the person can confront the feared situation without the same level of anxiety. This is rooted in classical conditioning (counterconditioning) and reciprocal inhibition, where a relaxed state counteracts the fear response. It is not about analyzing unconscious conflicts (psychoanalytic), changing internal thoughts with cognitive restructuring (cognitive), or focusing on self-actualization and personal growth in a non-directive way (humanistic). Therefore, it fits best as a behavioral therapy.