Deliberate Alteration of Human Behavior Behavior consists of learned responses to simple stimuli. An example of the use of deliberate alteration of behavior is with phobias. In the learning approach, phobias are seen as the result of maladaptive learning due to classical conditioning. If at a certain point a frightening event, even a traumatic one, has occurred, through classical conditioning the person experiencing it can associate it with whatever was present at that moment. Behavioral therapy is the means of treating phobias using classical conditioning. Joseph Wolpe (1958) developed a procedure known as systematic desensitization that consists of three phases: relaxation training, construction of the fear hierarchy, and counterconditioning by pairing the feared object with a relaxation response. The patient is first trained in deep muscle relaxation. In this phase the patient builds a list of feared stimuli, starting from the least feared to the most disturbing. In the next phase, the patient is then asked to use the relaxation technique learned when the feared stimulus is presented, starting from the least feared one and gradually moving up the scale of fears. This technique is known as systematic desensitization because it consists of gradually desensitizing the person to the feared stimulus. This technique doesn't just use classical conditioning. The therapist will encourage and congratulate the patient for being able to deal with each stimulus. The therapist can also model appropriate behavior, thereby encouraging and reassuring the patient. Systematic desensitization aims to extinguish the fear response of aphobia and replace a relaxation response to the conditioned stimulus. gradually, step by step. This treatment method is believed to work because it seems impossible for two opposing emotions (such as fear and relaxation) to coexist at the same time. Another example based on classical conditioning is aversion therapy. This aims to remove undesirable responses to certain stimuli by associating them with other aversive (unpleasant) stimuli, in the hope that the undesirable responses will be avoided in the future. An example of using aversion therapy is for alcohol treatment