Discuss examples of the deliberate alteration of human behaviour: phobias

The patient is first trained in deep muscle relaxation. In this phase, the patient constructs a list of feared stimuli, starting from the least feared, to the most disturbing. In the next phase, the patient is then required to use the learned relaxation technique when presented with the feared stimulus, starting with the least feared, and gradually working up the ladder of fears. This technique is known as systematic desensitisation because it involves gradually desensitising the person to the feared stimulus. This technique does not use classical conditioning alone. The therapist will encourage and congratulate the patient for being able to cope with each stimulus. The therapist may also model appropriate behaviour, and therefore encouraging and reassuring the patient.

Systematic desensitisation aims to extinguish the fear response of a phobia, and substitute a relaxation response to the conditioned stimulus gradually, step by step. This method of treatment is thought to work because it seems impossible for two opposite emotions (like fear and relaxation) to exist together at the same time.

Another example which is based on classical conditioning is aversion therapy. This aims to remove undesirable responses to certain stimuli by associating them with other aversive (unpleasant) stimuli, in the hope that the undesirable responses will be avoided in the future. An example of a use of aversion therapy is for the treatment of alcohol abuse. However, relapse rates are very high- the success of the therapy depends on whether the patient can avoid the stimuli they have been conditioned against, to maintain the aversion. If the alcoholic continues to go to bars then the nausea response to alcohol may extinguish under repeated exposure. There are also ethical problems involved in deliberately conditioning aversions.

Operant conditioning can also be used to alter behaviour. This is known as behaviour modification. An example of this is token economy. Tokens act as secondary reinforcers, and many studies have shown that both animals and humans will emit behaviours for tokens that are exchangeable for primary reinforcers at a later time. Alloy and Azrin (1968) have used the principle of secondary reinforcement to reward the socially desirable behaviour of long term inmates in psychiatric institutions by giving tokens that can later be exchanged for certain primary reinforcers. Each time an appropriate behaviour is demonstrated by the inmate, such as making their bed or brushing their teeth, a token will be issued. The more desirable the behaviour, the greater number of tokens given.

Token economies have produced improvements in self-care and pro-social behaviour, even in chronic, institutionalised schizophrenics. Paul and Lentz (1977) found token economies more effective than other hospital management methods. Token economies can make the individuals involved dependant on the tokens. Some patients may become mercenary, only producing desirable behaviour if they are going to get a token for it, and there may be serious problems in transferring improved behaviour and skills to the outside world.