Behavioural Approach Treating Phobias Flashcards
Discuss the behavioural approach to treating phobias AO1
1) Behavioural approach to treating phobias is bases on principles of CC and OC, aiming to create more adaptive responses.
2) A key treatment is SD which is based on counter conditioning - involved 3 stages: Constructing hierarchy, relaxation training and gradual exposure (exposed while maintains relaxation)
3) SD works through reciprocal inhibition (fear and relaxation can’t co exist
4) Another treatment is flooding, the immediate and intense exposure to feared stimulus to prevent avoidance
5) This forced confrontation of fear until extinction, meaning CS no longer associated with CR of fear
6) Flooding works on principle that prolonged exposure leads to habituation and avoidance behaviour is prevented, reducing negative reinforcement
A strength of SD AO3
P) Strong empirical support demonstrating effectiveness
E) McGrath found 75% patients with phobia showed improvement with SD. Physically interact with stimulus which has been found more effective
E) Gilroy further support, examined 42 people with arachnophobia - each has 3 45min sessions, and showed significant reduction in fear which was maintained 33 months later. In contrast, control group only received relaxation techniques, didn’t last as long
L) Demonstrates SD leads to reduction in phobia responses, reinforcing validity as an effective treatment. Its reliance of gradual exposure makes is more ethical and tolerable, increasing real world applicability
A strength of flooding AO3
P) As effective as other treatments whilst also more cost effective
E) Ougrin compared flooding to cognitive therapies and found highly effective and faster. Rapid results is key advantage as overcome quicker and reduces overall duration of distress. Efficiency makes is more cost effective as fewer sessions required
E) Important for economy - could reduce financial burden on healthcare like NHS
L) Therefore flooding is valuable approach, beneficial as first line intervention for patients seeking rapid relief
A limitation of flooding AO3
P) Extreme levels of distress so not suitable for all patients
E) Schumacher found patients and therapists rated flooding as much more stressful than SD. It’s not unethical but many struggle to complete due to intensity leading to high drop out rates before complete, reducing effectiveness
E) Furthermore, if not completed, experience may reinforce phobias, worsening symptoms. Suggests effective for some, but not universally
L) Individual differences in tolerance is key limitation - effectiveness depended on ability to endure stress - less suitable to vulnerable people
