Read the passage and answer the questions:
Abby is very annoying by nature. He does not follow what his parents say and refuses to obey them. He constantly bothers his parents and classmates with his improper behavior and does not regularly complete the homework given by his teachers. After seeing Abby’s behavior, his parents take him to a psychotherapist in order to understand why he behaves the way he does. The psychotherapist planned to administer behavioural therapy for modifying his behaviour.
The ‘systematic desensitisation’ technique was developed by:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → Wolpe
Option (1) Wolpe — Correct. Systematic desensitisation was introduced by Wolpe for treating phobias or irrational fears. The therapist and client prepare a hierarchy of anxiety-provoking situations; the client, kept relaxed, imagines them one by one from the least frightening, until the fear is overcome.
Option (2) Bandura — Incorrect. Bandura is known for social learning theory, the source of self-efficacy and of learning by observing models.
Option (3) Beck — Incorrect. Aaron Beck developed cognitive therapy, which changes negative automatic thoughts.
Option (4) Ellis — Incorrect. Albert Ellis formulated Rational Emotive Therapy, with its ABC analysis.
NCERT (2025-26): “Behavioural Techniques … Systematic desensitisation is a technique introduced by Wolpe for treating phobias or irrational fears. The client is interviewed to elicit fear provoking situations and together with the client, the therapist prepares a hierarchy of anxiety-provoking stimuli with the least anxiety-provoking stimuli at the bottom of the hierarchy.…” |