Behaviour Appraich To Treating Phobias

Question 1

What are the ways to treat phobias

Answer 1

Systematic desensitisation
Flooding

Question 2

What is systematic desensitisation

Answer 2

A behavioural therapy designed to gradually reduced phobic anxiety

Question 3

How does systematic desensitisation work

Answer 3

Through classical conditioning
The person learns a new response to the phonic stimulus. This is called counter conditioning

Question 4

What are the three processes involved in sd

Answer 4

Anxiety hierachy
Relaxation
Exposure

Question 5

What is the anxiety hierarchy

Answer 5

Put together by the therapist and phobic person
A list from least to worst situations involving phobia
Eg - photo of spider to holding spider, etc.

Question 6

What is relaxation in relation to sd

Answer 6

Therapist teaches client to relax as deeply as possible
Reciprocal inhibition- impossible to be anxious and afraid at same time as one overtakes the other.
Eg, meditation or imagery

Question 7

What is exposure in relation to sd

Answer 7

Exposure to the phobic stimulus whilst in a relaxed state
From bottom to top of hierarchy over multiple sessions, moving on when the bottom one isn’t scary anymore

Question 8

What are the strengths for systematic desensitisation (2)

Answer 8

Evidence of effectiveness -
Gilroy- 42 people scared of spiders treated by sd and control treated only by relaxation. Found after 3 and 33 months, the 42 were less scared of spiders than the control

Helpful for those with learning disabilities because it requires less cognitive rational thought.

Question 9

What is flooding

Answer 9

Exposing the person the phobic stimulus but without gradual build up.
Situation is very stressful and may last up to three hours

Question 10

How does flooding work

Answer 10

No option for avoidance so we see the phobia is harmless
Called extinction - learned response (fear) extinguished when the conditioned stimulus is encountered without the unconditioned stimulus. (Eg dog but not being bitten)

Question 11

What are the ethical issues with flooding

Answer 11

None technically but need full consent due to it being unpleasant

Question 12

What is the strength to flooding

Answer 12

Cost effective
- takes less time than sd which means less staff etc
Time effective

Question 13

What is the limitation to flooding

Answer 13

Traumatic
Highly unpleasant experience
Causes high anxiety
Higher dropout rates