Behavioural approach to treating phobias Flashcards
Definition of systematic desensitisation
Behavioural therapy designed to reduce an unwanted response by using an anxiety hierarchy to gradually introduce a phobic stimulus to teach the person to relax
What type of conditioning is used is systematic desensitisation?
Classical
The learning of a different response is called _________
Counterconditioning
What is the first process in systematic desensitisation?
Anxiety hierarchy
What is an anxiety hierarchy?
A list of situations related to a phobic stimulus arranged in order from least to most frightening
What is the 2nd stage of systematic desensitisation?
Relaxation
What do they do during the relaxation stage?
They imagine themselves in relaxing situations in order to relax
What is reciprocal inhibition?
It being impossible to be afraid and relaxed at the same time
What is reciprocal inhibition?
It being impossible to be afraid and relaxed at the same time
What is the 3rd stage of systematic desensitisation?
Exposure
What is exposure in systematic desensitisation?
They are exposed to the phobic stimulus in a relaxed state. They start at the bottom of the hierarchy and work up.
Strength of systematic desensitisation - Evidence of effectiveness
- Study done by Gilroy, 42 people went through SD for a phobia of spiders
- After 33 months, The SD group were less fearful compared to a control group treated using relaxation with no exposure
- SD is the most helpful for treating phobias
Strength of systematic desensitisation - People with learning disabilities
- People with learning disabilities are less suited to intense cognitive therapies that require a high level of rational thought
- They may also feel distressed and confused by the traumatic experience of flooding
- SD is the most appropriate treatment for people with learning disabilities who have phobias
