Changes

===Desensitisation===

===Desensitisation===

During desensitisation, the stimulus is repeatedly presented below the threshold that evokes fear. The intensity of the stimulus is gradually raised over a number of sessions until the animal is fully habituated to it. Begin desensitisation with low-ranking stimuli that evoke the least amount of fear and which conveniently lend themselves to behavioural therapy. This allows the client to build up experience of the behaviour modification methods with minimal risk of making them worse through flooding. Sounds are played at low volume, visual stimuli are presented at a distance or behind a partial screen. Once the cat becomes fully habituated to one level of intensity, the stimulus is then made a little more intense. Gradually the intensity is raised over a number of sessions until it reaches a realistic intensity.

During desensitisation, the stimulus is repeatedly presented below the threshold that evokes fear. The intensity of the stimulus is gradually raised over a number of sessions. When a cat reacts fearfully to a range of different stimuli, desensitisation should begin with stimuli that evoke the least amount of fear and which can easily be modified so that they can be presented in an attenuated form for behavioural therapy. This allows the client to build up experience of the behaviour modification methods with minimal risk of making them worse through flooding. Sounds are played at low volume or with an adjusted frequency bandwidth (e.g. reduced bass frequencies), visual stimuli are presented at a distance, disguised or partially obscured. Once the cat becomes fully desensitised to a stimulus at a particular intensity, the stimulus is then made a little more intense. Gradually the intensity is raised over a number of sessions until it reaches a realistic intensity.

 

===Counterconditioning===

===Counterconditioning===

The stimulus is presented in association with something that the cat unconditionally enjoys (play, food etc.). After repeated presentations the previously fear-eliciting stimulus begins to elicit the same emotional state as the pleasant event now associated with it. For example, the sound of dogs barking might be played at low volume, starting just before the cat is enticed into a game. Over successive training sessions, the sound level is gradually increased until it reaches realistic levels.

The stimulus is presented in association with something that the cat unconditionally enjoys (play, food etc.). After repeated presentations the previously fear-eliciting stimulus begins to elicit the same emotional state as the pleasant event now associated with it. For example, the sound of dogs barking might be played at low volume, starting just before the cat is enticed into a game. Over successive training sessions, the sound level is gradually increased until it reaches realistic levels.