JW
Philosophy & Social Sciences

Joseph Wolpe

Who

Joseph Wolpe · Philosophy & Social Sciences

What

Psychiatrist who developed systematic desensitization in behavior therapy

When

1915, Johannesburg, South Africa — 1997, Los Angeles, California, United States

Where

South Africa · United States

Biography

Joseph Wolpe is recognized among Jewish contributors to Philosophy & Social Sciences — Psychiatrist who developed systematic desensitization in behavior therapy

How & why

Joseph Wolpe was a psychiatrist who developed systematic desensitization, a cornerstone of behavior therapy in which patients overcome phobias by pairing relaxation with a graded hierarchy of feared situations. His theory of reciprocal inhibition helped establish behavior therapy as an evidence-based treatment. Born in Johannesburg to a Jewish family, he later worked in the United States.

Sources & external links

Verify and go deeper with these external references.

Source: Jinfo.org — Jews in Psychology

Contributions & Sources

Psychiatrist who developed systematic desensitization in behavior therapy

1915

Source: Jinfo.org — Jews in Psychology