Behavioural Approach With Phobias Flashcards
What are the 2 types of treatments for phobias
Systematic desensitisation and flooding
What approach is used to treat phobias
Behaviourist approach
Wh at is the model that is used to describe how behaviour and phobias are acquired
The two process model
Who proposed the 2 process model
Mowrer 1960
What is the to way model based on
Behavioural approach to behaviour, including classical conditioning first and then operant condition
Describe the explanation of phobias through the acquisition by classical condition
It involves learning to associate something of which we initially have no fear with something that triggers a fear response
What is the experiment that is used to describe the the use of classical conditioning for phobias
Little Albert
What is the generalisation of phobias
When the phobia is then generalised to other objects of similar characteristics
How does the maintenance by operant conditioning relate to phobias
Responses acquired by classing conditioning usually tends to decline over time however phobias tend to be long lasting and operant conditioning takes place when our behaviour is reinforced or punished
What is the link between negative reinforcement and behaviour of phobias
In case of negative reinforcement and individual would avoid a situation that is unpleasant
What did Mowrer suggest would happen when we avoid a phobic stimulus
We may successfully escape the fear and anxiety that we would have experienced if we remained there and this reduction in fear reinforces the avoidance behaviour and so the phobia is maintained
What is a strength (without counterpoint) of the two process model)
Real world application in exposure therapies as the 2 process model is good for explaining why people with phobias benefit from being exposed to the phobic stimulus and the clinical practice of this shows the value of the 2 process model
What is a limitation of the 2 process model
It doesn’t account for the cognitive aspects of phobia as we know that phobias aren’t only avoidance responses, there also have significant cognitive components and this means that the two process model doesn’t completely explain the symptoms of phobias
What is the other strength of the 2 process model (with counterpoint)
There is evidence for a link between bad experiences an phobias and this is shown through the Little Albert study and the study by De Jongh et al and this confirms the association between stimulus and an unconditioned response leads to a development of the phobia
What is the counterpoint of the strength of the 2 process model about its link between bad experience sand phobias
Not all phobias appear to follow a bad experience as many have phobias of things that they may never have even encountered irl such as snakes. Additionally not al traumatic events lead to a phobia and sp the link between then is not as strong as we think
What is systematic desensitisation
It is a behavioural therapy that is designed to gradually reduce phobic anxiety through the principle of classical conditioning. If a person can gradually learn to relax themselves in the presence of the phobic stimulus they can be cured over time
What are the 3 process that are involved in systematic desensitisation
. The anxiety hierarchy
. Relaxation
. Exposure
What is the process of the anxiety hierarchy
This is a list of situations related to the phobic stimulus which will provoke the anxiety and fear of the individual. The list is ranked of the least frightening sitcoms first and then working upwards too the most frightening situation
What is the process of relaxation in semantic desensitisation
This is when the therapist teaches the client to relax as deeply as possible as it is impossible to be afraid and relaxed at the same time and so one emotion prevents the other and this is called reciprocal inhibition
How are the clients relaxed
This may include breathing exercises or mental imagery techniques and this is by them being taught to image themselves in relaxing situations or do meditation or consume drugs such as Valium
What is the process of exposure for semantic desensitisaton
This is when the client is exposed to the phobic stimulus while in a relaxed state and this also takes place across several sessions from the anxiety hierarchy list. When they succeed in one level they move up to the of the phobic stimulus.
When can the treatment of semantic desensitisation be deemed as successful
When the client can stay relaxed in situations that are high on the anxiety hierarchy
What is flooding
It is a behavioural therapy in which a person with a phobia is exposed to an extreme form of a phobic stimulus in order to reduce anxiety triggered by the stimulus
How is flooding done
It involves immediate exposure to a very frightening situation for a a long period of time until they are no longer scared of it
What is the difference with semantic desensitisation and flooding in terms of time and sessions
Flooding sessions are typically longer than SD sessions and sometimes it may only take one long session for the phobia to be cured
How does flooding work
Without the option of avoidance behaviour, the client quickly learns that the phobic stimulus sis harmless and in terms of classical conditioning this is know as extinction
What is the ethical issue with flooding
It isn’t unethical however it is an unpleasant experience so it is important that the client gives full consent to this procedure and they are fully prepared before the session
What is the strength of semantic desensitisation
There is evidence for its effectiveness and this is from the other studies that support studies such as Gilory and Wechsler
What is the second strength of semantic desensitisation
SD can be used to help people with learning difficulties as they often struggle with cognitive therapies which require complex rational thought and so this means that SD is often the most appropriate for those who have learning disabilities and have phobias
What is a strength of flooding
It is highly cost effective as not many sessions are required and this means that more people can be treated with the same cost with flooding than with SD or other therapies
What is a limitation of flooding
It is an extremely unpleasant and traumatic experience and provokes a lot of anxiety and this raises the ethical issues for psychologists hence why informed consent is really important and the dropout rates for this are very high and so therapists avoid using this treatment
