Mary Cover Jones

Definition:

Mary Cover Jones was an American psychologist who was known for her pioneering work in behavior therapy. She is considered one of the founders of the field and made significant contributions to the understanding and treatment of phobias.

Early Life and Education:

Mary Cover Jones was born on September 1, 1896, in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. She attended Vassar College and graduated in 1919 with a degree in psychology. She then pursued her master’s and doctoral degrees in psychology from Columbia University, completing her Ph.D. in 1920.

Contributions to Psychology:

One of Mary Cover Jones’ most well-known contributions to psychology was her work with a young boy named Peter. In the 1920s, she conducted a groundbreaking experiment to demonstrate the principles of behavior therapy in treating phobias.

The “Little Peter” Experiment:

In the experiment, Jones worked with a 2-year-old boy named Peter who had a severe fear of rabbits. She utilized a technique called systematic desensitization to gradually reduce Peter’s fear response by pairing the presence of the rabbit with a pleasant stimulus, such as eating a favorite snack.

Over time, Peter’s fear of rabbits diminished, and he eventually overcame his phobia entirely. Jones’ experiment illustrated the possibilities of behavior therapy in treating specific phobias, offering a more effective alternative to traditional approaches such as psychoanalysis.

Legacy and Later Life:

Mary Cover Jones continued to contribute to the field of psychology throughout her career. She conducted research on various behavioral issues and published numerous articles on the subject. She also worked as a professor and mentor, influencing and inspiring many future psychologists.

She passed away on September 22, 1987, leaving behind a lasting legacy in behavior therapy and the field of psychology as a whole.