reciprocal-inhibition therapy

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Reciprocal-Inhibition Therapy

Definition: Reciprocal-inhibition therapy is a type of behavior therapy where one response is weakened or stopped because another, opposite response occurs. For example, if a person feels anxious about something, they can learn to feel relaxed instead when they think about that same thing.

Explanation for New Learners:

Imagine you feel scared when you see a dog. In reciprocal-inhibition therapy, you would practice feeling calm and relaxed when you see a dog. Over time, the feeling of calmness can replace the feeling of fear.

Usage Instructions:

• This therapy is often used to help people overcome fears or anxieties.
• It involves practicing relaxation techniques to counteract feelings of fear or stress.

Example:

• "In her therapy sessions, she learned reciprocal-inhibition therapy to help her manage her anxiety about public speaking by focusing on deep breathing and calm thoughts."

Advanced Usage:

• This therapy is often used in psychological settings and can be part of a broader treatment plan for anxiety disorders or phobias.

Word Variants:

• Reciprocal (adjective): mutual; something that is done or felt by both sides.
• Inhibition (noun): the act of holding back or restraining.

Different Meanings:

• Reciprocal can also refer to a relationship where both parties do something for each other, like in "reciprocal friendships."
• Inhibition can refer to more general restraint or holding back in behaviors, not just in therapy.

Synonyms:

• Counter-conditioning: a similar technique where a person learns to associate a different response to a stimulus.
• Relaxation therapy: a broader term that includes various methods for reducing stress and anxiety.

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly related to "reciprocal-inhibition therapy," but you might hear phrases like "calm down" or "let go of fear," which relate to the ideas behind the therapy.

Summary:

Reciprocal-inhibition therapy helps people replace negative feelings with positive ones by learning to relax instead of being anxious.

Academic

Noun

1. a method of behavior therapy based on the inhibition of one response by the occurrence of another response that is mutually incompatible with it; a relaxation response might be conditioned to a stimulus that previously evoked anxiety

Synonyms

• reciprocal inhibition