4.2.1 Contemporary study-Capafons

Question 1

sample

Answer 1

-2 balanced groups in terms of sex, age, fear level
-control group: 9 males and 12 females
-treatment group: 8 males and 12 females

Question 2

treatment procedure

Answer 2

-began approx 8 weeks after physiological assessment with video
- 1 hour sessions, 2 per week, 12-15 in total
-learnt breathing techniques, progressive relaxation etc

Question 3

DV measures

Answer 3

-3 qs
-scales of fear
-heart rate palm temp etc

Question 4

conclusion of study

Answer 4

• SD works as treatment for phobias
  -lack of change for control group, significant change for treatment group
  -over 90% of patients were correctly classified ( 2 did not)

Question 5

Evaluate Capafons (strengths)

Answer 5

-high reliability, uses standardised procedure so is easy to record and replicate- eg interview, physiological assessment, 12-15 1 hour sessions, therefore study had high repeatability
-high application, 90% of ppts were successfully classified, study showed phobia of flying could be cured and potentially so could others

Question 6

Evaluate Capafons (weaknesses)

Answer 6

-low generalisability, small ppt sample (41) recruited as part of media campaign, increases chances of anomalies and can’t reflect whole population or effectiveness of other treatments
-low ecological validity, done in a uni where they were shown video of build up to flight and of the flight unable to generalise to suggest SD could accurately treat phobia of flying