Principles and Applications of Pavlovian Conditioning

Abstract

Juliette is an attorney for a prestigious law firm. Although her coworkers often ask her to socialize after work, Juliette always rejects their requests; instead, driving home, she proceeds hurriedly from her car to her apartment. Once inside, Juliette locks the door and refuses to leave until the next morning. On weekends, Juliette will shop with her sister, who lives with their parents several blocks away. However, once darkness approaches, Juliette compulsively returns to her apartment. Although her sister, her parents, or close friends sometimes visit during the evening, Juliette refuses any of their invitations to go out after dark. Several men—all seemingly pleasant, sociable, and handsome—have asked Juliette for dates during the past year. Juliette has desperately wanted to socialize with them, yet she has been unable to accept any of their invitations. Juliette’s fear of going out at night and her inability to accept dates began thirteen months ago. She had dined with her parents at their home and had left about 9:30 p.m. Since it was a pleasant fall evening, she decided to walk the several blocks to her apartment. Within a block of her apartment, a man grabbed her, dragging her to a nearby alley. The man kicked her several times before running away upon hearing another person approach. Since Juliette did not see her assailant, the police doubted they could apprehend him. The few friends and relatives whom Juliette told about the attack tried to support her; yet, she found no solace. Juliette still has nightmares about the attack and often wakes up terrified. On the few occasions after the attack that Juliette did go out after dark, she felt very uncomfortable and had to return home. She has become fearful even thinking about having to go out at night and arranges her schedule so she is home before dark. Juliette wants to overcome her fears, but she does not know how to do it.