Behavioral Approach To Explaining And Treating Phobias Flashcards
How are phobias obtained?
Through classical conditioning
How are phobias maintained?
Operant conditioning
What are phobias explained by?
The two-way process (classical and operating conditional)
What is the formula for classical conditioning?
UCS (rational thing) —> UCR (fear)
NS (regular thing)—> NR (no response))
UCS + NS —> UCR
CS (phobia) —> CR (fear)
When does operant conditioning take place?
When our behaviour is reinforced or punished
How are phobia is maintained by operant conditioning?
Avoiding the phobia stimulus is negatively reinforced through avoidance or panic which leads to the desirable consequence of being removed from the phobia so the behaviour will be repeated.
What is the positive evaluation for explaining phobias?
It has practical application as it explains how phobias occur and therefore explain the importance of exposure therapy.
What is the negative evaluation of explaining phobias?
There are alternative explanations such as social learning theory could suggest that kids see parents (models) with fears/phobias and imitate the behaviour.
What are the two behavioural methods of treating phobias?
Systematic desensitisation
Flooding
What are the three procedures to systematic desensitisation?
Anxiety hierarchy (stepped approach to facing phobia by both patient and doctor)
Relaxation technique training (breathing techniques or mental imagery techniques)
Exposure at every step of the hierarchy using real relaxation methods.
What are the differences in sessions of SD and flooding?
SD takes place over several sessions and flooding is only used once for 2 to 3 hours
What is the positive evaluation for SD?
It is suitable for diverse patients such as those with learning disabilities who would not be well suited to the extremities of flooding.
One study found that 42 patients with spider phobia is had three SD sessions and we found to be less fearful than the control group with no exposure therapy over three months.
What is counterconditioning?
Creating a new response of relaxation instead of anxiety because you can’t feel both (reciprocal inhibition)
What is flooding?
This is where an immediate exposure to phobias without builder is used. It allows patience to see there is no basis to the affair and leads to extinction of the fair. There is no option of avoidance.
What is the positive evaluation of flooding?
It is cost-effective and quick, NHS type health systems need cheaper services and only includes one session meaning more people can be treated.
