Wolpe, Joseph
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{{epname|Wolpe, Joseph}} | {{epname|Wolpe, Joseph}} | ||
| − | '''Joseph Wolpe''' (April 20, 1915 – December 4, 1997) was a [[South Africa]]n-born [[United States|American]] [[ | + | '''Joseph Wolpe''' (April 20, 1915 – December 4, 1997) was a [[South Africa]]n-born [[United States|American]] [[psychologist]], famous for his work on [[systematic desensitization]] and [[assertiveness training]]. His techniques used in treatment of [[phobia]]s and [[anxiety]] provided the basis for modern [[behavior therapy]]. He developed the Subjective Units of Disturbance Scale (SUDS) for assessing the level of subjective discomfort or [[psychology|psychological]] pain. |
==Life== | ==Life== | ||
| − | '''Joseph Wolpe''' was born in [[Johannesburg]], [[South Africa]] | + | '''Joseph Wolpe''' was born on April 20, 1915 in [[Johannesburg]], [[South Africa]] into the family of Michael Salmon and Sarah Millner Wolpe. He grew up in South Africa and received his education there. He obtained his M.D. from the [[University of Witwatersrand]], Johannesburg. |
| − | When | + | When [[World War II]] broke out, Wolpe joined the South African army as a [[medicine|medical]] officer and worked in a military [[psychiatry|psychiatric]] hospital. There he treated patients suffering from [[post-traumatic stress disorder]] (PTSD), then known as “war neurosis”. He first started to work on [[systematic desensitization]] during this time in the military hospital. |
| − | After the war, Wolpe worked at the University of Witwatersrand. There he expanded on his technique of systematic desensitization and conducted series of studies. | + | After the war, Wolpe worked at the University of Witwatersrand. There he expanded on his technique of systematic desensitization and conducted a series of studies. |
He married in 1948 to Stella Ettman, with whom he had two children. | He married in 1948 to Stella Ettman, with whom he had two children. | ||
| − | Wolpe | + | Wolpe immigrated with his family to the [[United States]] and started to teach at the [[University of Virginia]] in 1960. In 1965, he became a professor of [[psychiatry]] at [[Temple University]] Medical School in [[Philadelphia]], a post that he held until his retirement in 1988. He was also director of the [[behavior therapy]] unit at the nearby Eastern Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute. He served as the second president of the Association for the Advancement of Behavior Therapy. |
Wolpe founded the Association for Advancement of Behavior Therapy and the ''Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry''. | Wolpe founded the Association for Advancement of Behavior Therapy and the ''Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry''. | ||
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==Work== | ==Work== | ||
| − | During | + | During [[World War II]], working as a [[medicine|medical]] officer in a military psychiatric hospital, Wolpe treated soldiers suffering from [[post-traumatic stress disorder]], then known as "war neurosis.” As the standard treatment consisting of [[drug therapy]] proved ineffective, Wolpe decided to find alternative methods of treatment. He developed a desensitization technique, a type of [[behavior therapy]] that used relaxation methods in dealing with [[fear]] and [[anxiety]] responses. The idea had some common elements with the relaxation techniques of [[Edmund Jacobson]]. |
| − | + | His systematic desensitization technique was grounded in the belief that much of human behavior is learned, and as such could also be unlearned. Wolpe initially experimented with [[cat]]s. He used [[Ivan Pavlov|Pavlovian]] [[classical conditioning]] of pairing unpleasant shock with certain sounds, to condition the cats to react with fear toward those sounds. Once the cats started to react with fear to the sound presented alone, Wolpe would reverse the experiment and start to pair those sounds with a pleasant stimulus - food. After several sessions the cats would gradually unlearn their fear. Wolpe rationalized that similar techniques could be applied in treating [[phobia]]s, and he developed a method of relaxation and gradual exposure to the unpleasant object until the phobia gradually disappeared. | |
| − | In 1958, Wolpe published his ''Psychotherapy by Reciprocal Inhibition'', in which he revealed his | + | In 1958, Wolpe published his ''Psychotherapy by Reciprocal Inhibition'', in which he revealed his ideas. He claimed that it was possible to treat the symptoms of anxiety or phobias by teaching patients to relax and confront their fears. The book was met with scepticism and disdain by the [[psychiatry|psychiatric]] community. Being trained in the [[psychoanalysis|psychoanalytical]] tradition, they believed that Wolpe’s method did not tackle the “cause" of [[neurosis|neuroses]], but only the surface of it. As such, they believed the therapy would inevitably lead to “[[symptom substitution]]” and not the cure. Wolpe’s therapy however proved successful and is continued to be used in modern psychotherapeutic treatment. |
| − | In 1969, Wolpe developed the | + | In 1969, Wolpe developed the Subjective Units of Disturbance Scale (SUDS) for assessing the level of subjective discomfort or psychological pain. |
| − | Wolpe also developed a theory of [[learning]] called [[reciprocal inhibition]]. Reciprocal behaviors are behaviors that compete with each other. If one situation | + | Wolpe also developed a theory of [[learning]] called [[reciprocal inhibition]]. Reciprocal behaviors are behaviors that compete with each other. If one situation elicited a certain response, the new stimulus introduced could elicit a different response, and the old reaction could be weakened. As the subject increasingly reacts in an alternative way, new learning occurs and the old behavior gradually disappears completely. |
| − | Wolpe also worked on [[assertiveness training]]. The idea behind it is similar to | + | Wolpe also worked on [[assertiveness training]]. The idea behind it is similar to systematic desensitization. People who are unassertive are similar to people with phobias who fear confrontation or rejection. They need to unlearn their fears and gradually learn new behaviors. Wolpe taught them how to relax in a stressful situation and how to conquer their fears. |
==Legacy== | ==Legacy== | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
| − | * Milite, George A. Wolpe, Joseph (1915-1997) | + | * Milite, George A. [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_g2699/is_0006/ai_2699000655 Wolpe, Joseph (1915-1997)] ''Encyclopedia of Psychology''. Retrieved on August 26, 2007. |
| − | * Poppen, Roger. 1995. ''Joseph Wolpe. Key figures in | + | * Poppen, Roger. 1995. ''Joseph Wolpe. Key figures in counseling and psychotherapy.'' London: Sage Publications. ISBN 0803986661 |
* Reyna, Leo J. 1998. Joseph Wolpe: Pioneer. A Personal Remembrance. ''Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 29''(3),187. | * Reyna, Leo J. 1998. Joseph Wolpe: Pioneer. A Personal Remembrance. ''Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 29''(3),187. | ||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
| − | * [http://www.kidsmentalhealth.org/BehavioralTherapy.html Behavioral therapy] – On behavioral therapy | + | * [http://www.kidsmentalhealth.org/BehavioralTherapy.html Behavioral therapy] – On behavioral therapy. Retrieved September 3, 2007. |
| − | * [http://www.balloonland.com/Phobia/Josephwolpe.htm Joseph Wolpe] – On Wolpe’s life and work | + | * [http://www.balloonland.com/Phobia/Josephwolpe.htm Joseph Wolpe] – On Wolpe’s life and work. Retrieved September 3, 2007. |
| − | * [http://psychology.jrank.org/pages/655/Joseph-Wolpe.html Joseph Wolpe] – Article on Wolpe by George A. Milite | + | * [http://psychology.jrank.org/pages/655/Joseph-Wolpe.html Joseph Wolpe] – Article on Wolpe by George A. Milite. Retrieved September 3, 2007. |
| − | * [http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,878421,00.html Neurosis: Just a Bad Habit?] – Time magazine article from August 02, 1971. | + | * [http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,878421,00.html Neurosis: Just a Bad Habit?] – Time magazine article from August 02, 1971. Retrieved September 3, 2007. |
| − | * [http://www.psychologistanywhereanytime.com/treatment_and_therapy_psychologist/psychologist_desensitization.htm Systematic Desensitization] – On the history of research on desensitization | + | * [http://www.psychologistanywhereanytime.com/treatment_and_therapy_psychologist/psychologist_desensitization.htm Systematic Desensitization] – On the history of research on desensitization. Retrieved September 3, 2007. |
{{Credit1|Joseph_Wolpe|104862130|}} | {{Credit1|Joseph_Wolpe|104862130|}} | ||
Revision as of 22:56, 3 September 2007
Joseph Wolpe (April 20, 1915 – December 4, 1997) was a South African-born American psychologist, famous for his work on systematic desensitization and assertiveness training. His techniques used in treatment of phobias and anxiety provided the basis for modern behavior therapy. He developed the Subjective Units of Disturbance Scale (SUDS) for assessing the level of subjective discomfort or psychological pain.
Life
Joseph Wolpe was born on April 20, 1915 in Johannesburg, South Africa into the family of Michael Salmon and Sarah Millner Wolpe. He grew up in South Africa and received his education there. He obtained his M.D. from the University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.
When World War II broke out, Wolpe joined the South African army as a medical officer and worked in a military psychiatric hospital. There he treated patients suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), then known as “war neurosis”. He first started to work on systematic desensitization during this time in the military hospital.
After the war, Wolpe worked at the University of Witwatersrand. There he expanded on his technique of systematic desensitization and conducted a series of studies.
He married in 1948 to Stella Ettman, with whom he had two children.
Wolpe immigrated with his family to the United States and started to teach at the University of Virginia in 1960. In 1965, he became a professor of psychiatry at Temple University Medical School in Philadelphia, a post that he held until his retirement in 1988. He was also director of the behavior therapy unit at the nearby Eastern Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute. He served as the second president of the Association for the Advancement of Behavior Therapy.
Wolpe founded the Association for Advancement of Behavior Therapy and the Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry.
Wolpe retired from Temple in 1988 and moved to California. He however continued to teach, lecturing at the Pepperdine University for additional nine years. His first wife Stella died in 1990, and he remarried in 1996 to Eva Gyarmati.
Wolpe died of lung cancer on December 4, 1997.
Work
During World War II, working as a medical officer in a military psychiatric hospital, Wolpe treated soldiers suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, then known as "war neurosis.” As the standard treatment consisting of drug therapy proved ineffective, Wolpe decided to find alternative methods of treatment. He developed a desensitization technique, a type of behavior therapy that used relaxation methods in dealing with fear and anxiety responses. The idea had some common elements with the relaxation techniques of Edmund Jacobson.
His systematic desensitization technique was grounded in the belief that much of human behavior is learned, and as such could also be unlearned. Wolpe initially experimented with cats. He used Pavlovian classical conditioning of pairing unpleasant shock with certain sounds, to condition the cats to react with fear toward those sounds. Once the cats started to react with fear to the sound presented alone, Wolpe would reverse the experiment and start to pair those sounds with a pleasant stimulus - food. After several sessions the cats would gradually unlearn their fear. Wolpe rationalized that similar techniques could be applied in treating phobias, and he developed a method of relaxation and gradual exposure to the unpleasant object until the phobia gradually disappeared.
In 1958, Wolpe published his Psychotherapy by Reciprocal Inhibition, in which he revealed his ideas. He claimed that it was possible to treat the symptoms of anxiety or phobias by teaching patients to relax and confront their fears. The book was met with scepticism and disdain by the psychiatric community. Being trained in the psychoanalytical tradition, they believed that Wolpe’s method did not tackle the “cause" of neuroses, but only the surface of it. As such, they believed the therapy would inevitably lead to “symptom substitution” and not the cure. Wolpe’s therapy however proved successful and is continued to be used in modern psychotherapeutic treatment.
In 1969, Wolpe developed the Subjective Units of Disturbance Scale (SUDS) for assessing the level of subjective discomfort or psychological pain.
Wolpe also developed a theory of learning called reciprocal inhibition. Reciprocal behaviors are behaviors that compete with each other. If one situation elicited a certain response, the new stimulus introduced could elicit a different response, and the old reaction could be weakened. As the subject increasingly reacts in an alternative way, new learning occurs and the old behavior gradually disappears completely.
Wolpe also worked on assertiveness training. The idea behind it is similar to systematic desensitization. People who are unassertive are similar to people with phobias who fear confrontation or rejection. They need to unlearn their fears and gradually learn new behaviors. Wolpe taught them how to relax in a stressful situation and how to conquer their fears.
Legacy
Wolpe was a pioneer of cognitive-behavior therapy. His techniques of systematic desensitization, designed for curing phobias and anxiety, as well as his methods used in assertiveness training provided the basis for modern behavior therapy. His SUDS has been successfully used in numerous psychotherapeutic techniques, including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Trauma-Focused Therapy (TFT), and Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT).
Publications
- Wolpe, Joseph. 1958. Psychotherapy by reciprocal inhibition. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press.
- Wolpe, Joseph. 1964. The conditioning therapies; the challenge in psychotherapy. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston.
- Wolpe, Joseph. 1969. The practice of behavior therapy. Pergamon general psychology series. New York: Pergamon Press. ISBN 0080065635
- Wolpe, Joseph. 1976. Theme and variations: a behavior therapy casebook. Pergamon general psychology series, 51. New York: Pergamon Press. ISBN 0080204228
- Wolpe, Joseph. 1988. Life without fear: Anxiety and Its Cure. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications. ISBN 0934986495
- Wolpe, Joseph, & Lazarus, Arnold A. 1966. Behavior therapy techniques; a guide to the treatment of neuroses. Oxford: Pergamon Press.
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- Milite, George A. Wolpe, Joseph (1915-1997) Encyclopedia of Psychology. Retrieved on August 26, 2007.
- Poppen, Roger. 1995. Joseph Wolpe. Key figures in counseling and psychotherapy. London: Sage Publications. ISBN 0803986661
- Reyna, Leo J. 1998. Joseph Wolpe: Pioneer. A Personal Remembrance. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 29(3),187.
External links
- Behavioral therapy – On behavioral therapy. Retrieved September 3, 2007.
- Joseph Wolpe – On Wolpe’s life and work. Retrieved September 3, 2007.
- Joseph Wolpe – Article on Wolpe by George A. Milite. Retrieved September 3, 2007.
- Neurosis: Just a Bad Habit? – Time magazine article from August 02, 1971. Retrieved September 3, 2007.
- Systematic Desensitization – On the history of research on desensitization. Retrieved September 3, 2007.
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