Infographic 14.2: Classical Conditioning in Behavior Therapies

The infographic consists of three sections. Text under the title “Classical Conditioning in Behavior Therapies” reads “Behavior therapists believe that most behaviors—either desirable or undesirable—are learned. When a behavior is maladaptive, a new, more adaptive behavior can be learned to replace it. Behavior therapists use learning principles to help clients eliminate unwanted behaviors. The two behavior therapies highlighted here rely upon classical conditioning techniques. In exposure therapy, a therapist might use an approach known as systematic desensitization to reduce an unwanted response, such as a fear of needles, by pairing it with relaxation. In aversion therapy, an unwanted behavior such as excessive drinking is paired with unpleasant reactions, creating an association that prompts avoidance of that behavior.” Section 1 shows the anxiety hierarchy for fear of needles. There are 8 levels in the hierarchy, which run as follows, from least anxiety provoking to most anxiety provoking. 1. Looking at a photo of a hypodermic needle. 2. Looking at an actual hypodermic needle. 3. Touching a hypodermic needle in its packaging. 4. Holding a hypodermic needle. 5. Watching someone get a shot. 6. Visiting a health clinic to discuss getting a shot. 7. Allowing someone to prep your arm for a shot. 8. Getting a flu shot. Text for the section reads as follows: “A client practices relaxation techniques while engaging in situations listed on her anxiety hierarchy, beginning with the least anxiety-provoking situation. After repeated pairings, the client learns to associate the anxiety-provoking situation with the desirable, conditioned response (calm), which is incompatible with fear or anxiety. The process is repeated for every step on the hierarchy.” Section 2 consists of two subsections of text, each paired with an image. Subsection 1 reads: “During conditioning, two stimuli that produce incompatible responses are repeatedly paired.” The attached image is a photograph of a hypodermic needle paired with the word “Relaxation”. Subsection 2 reads “Because the responses are incompatible, one response will eventually be extinguished. Starting at the bottom of the hierarchy with the least anxiety-provoking situation enables the desired response (calm) to prevail.” The attached image shows the word “Anxiety” with a red line through it, and the word “Calm” beside it, with no line through it. Section 3 consists of text and three subsections. Text under the title “Aversion Therapy” reads “Aversion therapy seeks to diminish a behavior by linking it with an unpleasant reaction. To reduce alcohol consumption, alcohol is consumed with a drug that causes feelings of nausea. Eventually, alcohol becomes a conditioned stimulus, prompting the unpleasant physical reaction all on its own. “Subsection 1 is titled “before conditioning” and shows an unconditioned stimulus, a nausea drug, producing an unconditioned response, nausea. Subsection 2 is titled “During conditioning” and shows an unconditioned stimulus, a nausea drug, and a neutral stimulus, a glass of beer, producing an unconditioned response, nausea. Subsection 3 is titled “After conditioning” and shows a conditioned stimulus, beer, producing conditioned response, nausea.