The goal of desensitization is to inhibit or interrupt the body’s interpretation of routine stimuli as painful. It does not assure that these stimuli will become pleasant or enjoyable, but that they will no longer provoke an extreme pain response. What is an example of the use of systematic desensitization?Read More →

Desensitization is sometimes used to treat phobias by gradually and repeatedly presenting the frightening stimulus under nonthreatening conditions. Over time, when desensitization works, the phobic response becomes less and less intense. Can you get desensitized to violence? Yes, repeated exposure to media violence can be desensitizing. But whether kids willRead More →