behavioural approach to treating phobias Flashcards
systematic desensitisation
behavioural therapy that gradually reduces phobic anxiety through classical conditioning
counter conditioning
a new response to the phobic stimulus is learnt
three processed involved in SD
anxiety hierarchy
relaxation
exposure
anxiety hierarchy
list of situations related to the phobic stimulus that provoke anxiety arranged from least to most frightening
relaxation
- therapist teaches client to relax at the same time as being scared
- impossible to be scared and relaxed
- reciprocal inhibition
what might relaxation involve?
breathing exercises
mental imagery techniques
meditation
drug - valium
flooding
immediate exposure to a very frightening situation
what does flooding stop?
phobic responses because there’s no avoidance option
classical conditioning this is called extinction
extinction
conditioned stimulus is encountered without the unconditioned stimulus
result = conditioned stimulus no longer produces the conditioned response
ethical safeguards
- clients have to give full informed consent
systematic desensitisation evaluation: suitable for all
• less traumatic for people which means lots of people can use this type of therapy including people with learning difficulties
systematic desensitisation evaluation: long lasting
Gilroy - 42 patients with fear of spider - control group treated by relaxation without exposure - 3 and 33 months systematic desensitisation group less fearful than control
flooding evaluation: isn’t suitable for all
people with social phobias cannot partake in this type of treatment as they have irrational thinking
flooding evaluation: not everyone finishes
once someone starts flooding they may not necessarily continue it which means that time and money are wasted
reciprocal inhibition
one emotion prevents the other from
