Which of the following therapies is based on 'learning theory'?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Learning theory underpins therapies that modify behavior through principles like conditioning. Behaviour therapy (choice A) directly applies learning theory, using techniques such as operant conditioning (rewards/punishments) and classical conditioning (stimulus-response pairing) to address maladaptive behaviors, like phobias or addiction. Psychoanalytic therapy (choice B) focuses on unconscious conflicts and past experiences, rooted in Freudian theory, not learning principles. Milieu therapy (choice C) emphasizes a therapeutic environment to foster social learning, but it's not strictly based on learning theory's conditioning mechanisms. Cognitive therapy (choice D) targets thought patterns to change behavior, incorporating some learning elements but primarily stemming from cognitive psychology. Choice A is correct because behaviour therapy explicitly relies on learning theory's framework, systematically altering behaviors through reinforcement or desensitization. Nurses use this in practice, such as in managing anxiety disorders with exposure techniques, highlighting its relevance in clinical settings where observable behavior change is the goal.