Home > Encyclopedia of Psychology > Joseph Wolpe

1915-1997
South African-born American psychiatrist who made significant contributions to behavior therapy.

Joseph Wolpe's groundbreaking work as a behaviorist was grounded in his belief that behavior therapy was as much an applied science as any other aspect of medicine. He is probably best known for his work in the areas of desensitization and assertiveness training, both of which have become important elements of behavioral therapy.

He was born on April 20, 1915 in Johannesburg, South Africa, to Michael Salmon and Sarah Millner Wolpe. He grew up in South Africa and attended college there, obtaining his M.D. from the University of Witwatersrand. When the Second World War began, he joined the South African army as a medical officer....