BEHAVIOURAL APPROACH TO TREATING PHOBIAS Flashcards
what are the two ways of treating phobias?
systematic desensitisation
flooding
what is SD based on?
classical conditioning, counterconditioning and reciprocal inhibition
what does SD aim to do?
replace fear (CR) with relaxation as the phobias (CS) is paired with it
what is an anxiety hierarchy in SD?
work up fearful stimuli ordered for least to most frightening e.g. arachnophobe sees picture of spider to holding spider
what is practised at each level of the anxiety hierarchy?
relaxation such as deep breathing or meditation, only move up when person can stay relaxed during situation
who found research to support SD?
Gilroy et al
Gilroy et al found that SD was…
effective after 3 and 33 months in comparison to a control group who was treated with relaxation without exposure
how does Gilroy et al’s research support the effectiveness of SD?
shows that it is helpful in reducing anxiety and the effects are long lasting
is SD suitable for a diverse range of patients?
yes, unlike flooding and CBT
why is SD suitable for a diverse range of patients?
because people don’t go through the same degree of trauma in comparison to flooding
also includes time talking with a therapist
what is further evidence that SD is acceptable for most patients?
low refusal and low attrition rates
what is flooding?
when a patient is immediately exposed to the phobic stimulus without gradual build up
flooding provides..
quick learning through extinction of the fear, as the patient will learn that the object is harmless
is flooding unethical?
no but it is unpleasant so patient must be given full informed consent
a limitation of flooding is that it is less effective for some types of phobias such as…
social phobias as they have cognitive aspects, so the patient may fear the actual situation and the thought of the situation
