<P> "Flooding" is an effective form of treatment for phobias amongst other psychopathologies . It works on the principles of classical conditioning or respondent conditioning--a form of Pavlov's classical conditioning--where patients change their behaviors to avoid negative stimuli . According to Pavlov, people learn through associations, so if one has a phobia, it is because one associates the feared stimulus with a negative outcome . </P> <P> Flooding uses a technique based on Pavlov's classical conditioning that uses exposure . There are different forms of exposure, such as imaginal exposure, virtual reality exposure, and in vivo exposure . While systematic desensitization may use these other types of exposure, flooding uses in vivo exposure, actual exposure to the feared stimulus . A patient is confronted with a situation in which the stimulus that provoked the original trauma is present . The psychologist there usually offers very little assistance or reassurance other than to help the patient to use relaxation techniques in order to calm themselves . Relaxation techniques such as progressive muscle relaxation are common in these kinds of classical conditioning procedures . As the adrenaline and fear response has a time limit, theoretically a person will eventually have to calm down and realize that their phobia is unwarranted . Flooding can be done through the use of virtual reality and is fairly effective . </P> <P> Psychiatrist Joseph Wolpe (19700900) carried out an experiment which demonstrated flooding . He took a girl who was scared of cars, and drove her around for hours . Initially the girl was hysterical but she eventually calmed down when she realized that her situation was safe . From then on she associated a sense of ease with cars . Psychologist Aletha Solter used flooding successfully with a 5 - month - old infant who showed symptoms of post-traumatic stress following surgery . </P> <P> Flooding therapy is not for every individual, and the therapist will discuss with the patient the levels of anxiety they are prepared to endure during the session . It may also be true that exposure is not for every therapist and therapists seem to shy away from use of the technique . </P>

Explain how flooding desensitization and counterconditioning can help a person overcome a problem