Behavioural Approach to Treating Phobias

Question 1

Describe systematic desensitisation (SD)

Answer 1

• Proposed by Joseph Wolpe
• Rationale: If phobias can be learned, then they can be unlearned
• SD gradually exposes a person to the thing they’re scared of while trying to make them relaxed.
• Aim: extinguish fear (undesirable) by replacing it with relaxation (desirable). Works through reciprocal inhibition (cannot feel two conflicting emotions at the same times)
• Individuals learns association of new response to original stimuli

Question 2

What is the process of systematic desensitisation? (SD)

Answer 2

1. Client learns relaxation techniques (breathing exercise) so it’s impossible to fearful and relaxed
2. Client works out anxiety hierarchy from least and most frightening
3. Client is gradually exposed to phobic stimuli whilst relaxed. They work through the hierarchy, learning to use relaxation techniques in the presence of the feared object

Question 3

Describe flooding

Answer 3

• Person is immersed in the experience in one long session, experiencing their phobia at its worst, continues until anxiety disappears.
• Procedure can be conducted in vivo or virtual reality.
• Rationale: Fear has a time limit. As adrenaline levels decrease, new stimulus-response link can be learned, feared stimulus is now associated with a non-anxious response
• Ethical considerations: clients must give full consent to participating, they must be fully prepared

Question 4

Give evaluation for systematic desensitisation (range of phobias)

Answer 4

There is research for SD being successful for a range of phobias. McGrath et al reported about 75% of patients with phobias respond to SD. Choy et al found in vivo techniques were more successful than in vitro. Therefore proving the effectiveness of SD and the value of using a range of different exposure techniques

Question 5

Give evaluation for systematic desensitisation (long-term effects)

Answer 5

Research has assessed the long-term effects of SD. Gilroy (2003) found patients who received 3 sessions of SD for spiders phobias were less fearful of them for 3 & 33 months after the treatment than a control group who hadn’t received exposure treatment. Suggests SD is effective and effects are long-lasting

Question 6

Give evaluation for systematic desensitisation (not all phobias)

Answer 6

SD is not appropriate for all phobias. Ohman et al suggest SD isn’t as effective in treating phobias with an underlying evolutionary survival component, than in treating those acquired through experience. Therefore, it can be used to tackling some phobias.

Question 7

Give evaluation for flooding (time effective)

Answer 7

Can be time-effective. Choy et al found that both SD and flooding were effective but flooding was the more effective of the two at treating phobias. Craske et al concluded that SD and flooding were equally effective. Therefore, flooding is effective but one of several options

Question 8

Give evaluation for flooding (individual differences)

Answer 8

There are individual differences in patients’ response to flooding. Flooding can highly traumatic and clients may quit before the end of the treatment, while there are low numbers of patients that refuse to have SD and a low number of patients that drop out of the treatment. Therefore, limits effectiveness of therapy.