Overcoming a Dog Phobia
Author: Ronald J. Comer
Princeton University
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This video shows the case of Danny, a 10-year-old boy who suffers from a severe fear of dogs. The video shows how his fear of dogs affects his life, as he is unable to walk to school without his mother’s help or visit friends’ houses. During the video, he undergoes a course of therapy, and within a few sessions his phobia is overcome and he is able to play happily with dogs.
1. Danny traces his phobia to a very early childhood experience in which a dog jumped toward him, causing a fear reaction at that time and from that point forward. This explanation is pointing to ______________.
2. Danny’s mother believes her own fear of big dogs may have led to his phobia. This explanation is pointing to ______________.
3. In the video, Danny displayed a physical reaction when he saw a dog. What was that reaction?
4. Danny’s successful treatment consisted of ______________.
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