Behavioural Approach To Tresting Phobias

Question 1

What is counter conditioning

Answer 1

When a patient is taught, through classical conditioning, a new association that runs counter to the original association

Question 2

What are the two ways behavioural psychologists use to treat phobias

Answer 2

1. Systematic desensitisation
2. Flooding

Question 3

What is systematic desensitisation (SD)

Answer 3

A form of behavioural therapy whereby a client is gradually exposed to the phobic stimulus using a hierarchy, under relaxed conditions until the anxiety reaction is extinguished

Question 4

State the three stages involved in systematic desensitation

Answer 4

1. Anxiety hierarchy
2. Relaxation
3. Gradual exposure

Question 5

What are four examples of relaxation techniques

Answer 5

1. Breathing exercises
2. Mental imagery
3. Muscle relaxation
4. Anti-anxiety drugs

Question 6

What is flooding

Answer 6

A form of behavioural therapy whereby a client is exposed to an extreme form of the phobic stimulus under relaxed conditions until the anxiety reaction is extinguished

Question 7

Briefly outline one difference between flooding and systematic desensitisation

Answer 7

Exposure to the phobic stimulus is gradual with SD, whereas with flooding the exposure is immediate

Question 8

Explain why SD might be more ethical than flooding

Answer 8

Exposure to the phobic stimulus is gradual when implementing SD and less traumatic for the patient in comparison to the immediate and prolonged exposure with flooding

Question 9

State an advantage of using flooding over SD

Answer 9

Flooding is highly effective and a quicker method of treating a phobia