Behavioural Approach With Phobias

Question 1

What are the 2 types of treatments for phobias

Answer 1

Systematic desensitisation and flooding

Question 2

What approach is used to treat phobias

Answer 2

Behaviourist approach

Question 3

Wh at is the model that is used to describe how behaviour and phobias are acquired

Answer 3

The two process model

Question 4

Who proposed the 2 process model

Answer 4

Mowrer 1960

Question 5

What is the to way model based on

Answer 5

Behavioural approach to behaviour, including classical conditioning first and then operant condition

Question 6

Describe the explanation of phobias through the acquisition by classical condition

Answer 6

It involves learning to associate something of which we initially have no fear with something that triggers a fear response

Question 7

What is the experiment that is used to describe the the use of classical conditioning for phobias

Answer 7

Little Albert

Question 8

What is the generalisation of phobias

Answer 8

When the phobia is then generalised to other objects of similar characteristics

Question 9

How does the maintenance by operant conditioning relate to phobias

Answer 9

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

Question 10

What is the link between negative reinforcement and behaviour of phobias

Answer 10

In case of negative reinforcement and individual would avoid a situation that is unpleasant

Question 11

What did Mowrer suggest would happen when we avoid a phobic stimulus

Answer 11

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

Question 12

What is a strength (without counterpoint) of the two process model)

Answer 12

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

Question 13

What is a limitation of the 2 process model

Answer 13

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

Question 14

What is the other strength of the 2 process model (with counterpoint)

Answer 14

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

Question 15

What is the counterpoint of the strength of the 2 process model about its link between bad experience sand phobias

Answer 15

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

Question 16

What is systematic desensitisation

Answer 16

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

Question 17

What are the 3 process that are involved in systematic desensitisation

Answer 17

. The anxiety hierarchy
. Relaxation
. Exposure

Question 18

What is the process of the anxiety hierarchy

Answer 18

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

Question 19

What is the process of relaxation in semantic desensitisation

Answer 19

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

Question 20

How are the clients relaxed

Answer 20

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

Question 21

What is the process of exposure for semantic desensitisaton

Answer 21

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.

Question 22

When can the treatment of semantic desensitisation be deemed as successful

Answer 22

When the client can stay relaxed in situations that are high on the anxiety hierarchy

Question 23

What is flooding

Answer 23

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

Question 24

How is flooding done

Answer 24

It involves immediate exposure to a very frightening situation for a a long period of time until they are no longer scared of it

Question 25

What is the difference with semantic desensitisation and flooding in terms of time and sessions

Answer 25

Flooding sessions are typically longer than SD sessions and sometimes it may only take one long session for the phobia to be cured

Question 26

How does flooding work

Answer 26

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

Question 27

What is the ethical issue with flooding

Answer 27

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

Question 28

What is the strength of semantic desensitisation

Answer 28

There is evidence for its effectiveness and this is from the other studies that support studies such as Gilory and Wechsler

Question 29

What is the second strength of semantic desensitisation

Answer 29

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

Question 30

What is a strength of flooding

Answer 30

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

Question 31

What is a limitation of flooding

Answer 31

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