behavioural approach to treating phobias

Question 1

what are the 2 treatments for phobias ?

Answer 1

1. systematic desensitisation
2. flooding

Question 2

key facts for systematic desensitisation

Answer 2

• developed by Wolpe
• based on classical conditioning
• counterbalancing
• reciprocal inhibition
• progressive, step by step treatment
• two emotional states cannot exist at same time

Question 3

term: counterbalancing

Answer 3

creating new response to stimulus eg relaxation instead of anxiety

Question 4

term: reciprocal inhibition

Answer 4

two emotional states cant exist at same time so eventually relaxation replaces fear

Question 5

what are the 3 steps for SD?

Answer 5

1. Relaxation Training
2. Anxiety Hierarchy
3. Exposure

Question 6

what happens in relaxation training?

Answer 6

where given training on relaxation techniques like muscle relaxation to help remain calm when exposed to fear. trained until do it off by heart. relaxation can be achieved using drugs- valium

Question 7

what happens in the anxiety hierarchy?

Answer 7

create an anxiety hierarchy involving conditioned stimulus that are ranked from least fearful to most fearful

Question 8

what happens in exposure?

Answer 8

exposed to phobic stimulus while in relaxed state, takes place over several sessions, work way up anxiety hierarchy starting at least unpleasant practicing relaxation techniques as do. able to remain relaxed= able to move up hierarchy. treatment successful when stay relaxed in situations high on anxiety hierachy

Question 9

strengths of systematic desensitisation

Answer 9

• effective compared to drugs- helpful in reducing anxiety
• children + learning disability ppl be treated
• patients have active role in therapy + can withdraw if uncomfortable
• less stressful
• ethical as no deception, consent

Question 10

limitation of systematic desensitisation

Answer 10

• can take longer than flooding so can costly

Question 11

key facts for flooding

Answer 11

exposes individual to most anxiety inducing stimulus immediately. individual will practice relaxation techniques at the same time. session continues until patient is fully relaxed

Question 12

how does flooding work?

Answer 12

person is unable to avoid (negative reinforce) their phobia without option of avoidance, person quickly learns the phobic stimulus is harmless. leads to anxiety levels decreasing + extinction of phobia

Question 13

flooding research

Answer 13

Wolpe- flooding to remove girls phobia of cars. girl forced into car and driven around for 4 hours until fear removed.

Question 14

strength of flooding

Answer 14

cheaper than SD and quicker

Question 15

limitations of flooding

Answer 15

• less effective for more complex phobias- social phobias
• not suitable for some- learning difficulties
• loses right to withdraw
• dont complete treatment as very stressful
• harm