one case study used in this manner exposed the flaws in a controversial method of treating phobias. The initial study (Valins & Ray,1967) claimed to have demonstrated a new therapy technique called cognitive desensitization. The technique essentially tricks clients into thinking that their phobias have been cured. The idea is that clients who believe that they are cured develop new thinking patterns that eventually lead to a real cure. The study examined a group of individuals with fear of snakes. The treatment involved having the participants view pictures of snakes while listening to their own heartbeats played over a loudspeaker.