Joseph Wolpe

Joseph Wolpe (1915 – 1997) was born in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1915, but became an American citizen later in his life. He is best known for developing theories and experiments about what is now called systematic desensitization. He also did some studies indicating that sexual orientations can change spontaneously. Wolpe was professor of psychiatry at Temple University Medical School from 1965 to 1988. One of his best known books is The Practice of Behavior Therapy (4th Ed in 1991).