Behavioural Approach To Explaning And Treating Phobias Flashcards
How are phobias explained?
The Two-Process Model.
What does the Two-Process Model consist of?
CC and OC.
How are phobias acquired and maintained according to Mowrer (1947)?
Phobias are acquired through CC [learning through association].
This is through traumatic events (e.g. getting bitten by a dog) or social learning (e.g. seeing someone else getting bitten by a dog).
Phobias are maintained through OC [learning through consequences].
This is by avoiding the feared object/situation (negative reinforcer).
How does classical conditioning work in phobias?
A fear response is associated with a neutral stimulus, which becomes a conditioned stimulus (e.g. Little Albert).
How does operant conditioning work in phobias?
Behaviour is reinforced or punished to increase the frequency of a behaviour.
What did DiNardo (1988) discover about phobias?
DiNardo (1988) found that as many people without dog phobias as those with dog phobias reported negative experiences with dogs.
What are strengths of the two-process model?
-Real-world application, using two distinctive elements to explain how phobias are both created and maintained.
-‘Little Albert’ study supports the two-process model as they showed how a frightening experience can be conditioned.
What are weaknesses of the two-process model?
-Some phobias have an evolutionary aspect or a genetic vulnerability (predisposition).
-Many people with phobias can’t identify trauma (DiNardo).
What is used to treat phobias?
-Systematic desensitisation.
-Flooding.
What is systematic desensitisation?
A behavioural therapy that extinguishes an undesirable behaviour (fear) with a more desirable behaviour (relaxation).
How many stages does systematic desensitisation consist of?
Three.
What are the three stages of systematic desensitisation?
- Relaxation techniques.
- Negotiation.
- Gradual exposure.
What is stage 1 of systematic desensitisation?
Relaxation techniques.
-Breathing techniques and muscle relaxation.
-The aim is to replace fear response with relaxation.
What is stage 2 of systematic desensitisation?
Negotiation.
-Client makes a ‘fear hierarchy’ from the least feared situation to the most feared situation.
What is stage 3 of systematic desensitisation?
Gradual exposure.
-The client works their way through the fear hierarchy.
-At each stage, they perform the relaxation techniques they have previously learnt.
-Once they feel comfortable at each level, they move onto the next stage.
-If there is too much distress at any stage, they move down to the previous stage.
What was the aim of the study of Gilroy (2003)?
To test the effectiveness of SD on arachnophobia.
What was the method of the study of Gilroy (2003)?
Spider questionnaire about responses to a spider (42 SD, 42 no exposure).
What were the results of the study of Gilroy (2003)?
Reviewed 3 months and 33 months after treatment, SD group were less fearful than the no exposure group.
What is flooding?
A therapy of unavoidable exposure, introducing one to phobias in an immediate and unavoidable manner.
What makes flooding impactful?
Patients are prevented from avoiding the situation, so anxiety levels peak until it can’t sustain (therefore, the fear response is no longer produced).
What was the aim of the study of Keane et al (1989)?
To test the effectiveness of flooding therapy on PTSD sufferers.
What was the method of the study of Keane et al (1989)?
Vietnam veterans received 14-16 sessions of flooding therapy (24 therapy, 24 control).
What were the results of the study of Keane et al (1989)?
The therapy group were recorded having less PTSD symptoms (tested before, after and 6 months after).
What is Vivo?
‘In life’.
Physically being exposed to an object.
What is Vitro?
‘In glass’.
Imagining the phobia.
What are strengths of systematic desensitisation (SD)?
-It is quick and requires less effort than psychotherapy.
-Successful for a range of phobias, and specific phobias (e.g. Gilroy- 2003).
What are weaknesses of system desensitisation (SD)?
-SD is only suitable for patients that are able to learn relaxation techniques, and utilise vitro effectively.
-SD is ineffective in treating evolutionary phobias. Patients with phobias which have not developed through experience (CC) (e.g. a fear of heights) aren’t effectively treated using systematic desensitisation.
What are strengths of flooding?
-It is cost effective; compared to cognitive therapies, it is more effective and quicker.
-Flooding produces comparatively similar results to SD, but in a shorter timeframe.
What are weaknesses of flooding?
-There are ethical considerations, such as psychological distress, although it is short term.
-It isn’t suitable for patients with bad physical health (e.g. Wolpe (1969) reported the case of a client whose anxiety intensified to the point of hospitalisation).
-Less effective for some types of phobias (e.g. social phobias).
