Behavioural Treatments for Phobias

Question 1

What are the two treatments?

Answer 1

1. systematic desensitisation
2. flooding

Question 2

Outline systematic desensitisation (AO1)

Answer 2

• Fear hierarchy
  
  • Classical conditioning
  • Counter-conditioning
  • Relaxation response
  • Fear-arousing steps
  • Contiguous paring (relaxation and fear)
  • Extinguished
  • Covert desensitisation (imagining), in vivo desensitisation (actual contact)
• reciprocal inhibition
• 4 to 6 sessions, 45 mins

Question 3

Whats reciprocal inhibition?

Answer 3

Inhibiting anxiety by substituting it with a competing response, making it difficult for fear and relaxation to coexist simultaneously.

Question 4

Whats a fear hierachy?

Answer 4

Fear Hierarchy: The therapist collaborates with the individual to create a fear hierarchy, which is a ranked list of situations or stimuli associated with the phobia. The items on the list are ordered from least to most fear-inducing.

Question 5

What’s classical conditioning?

Answer 5

Classical Conditioning: The fear response is initially learned through classical conditioning, where a neutral stimulus (e.g., a computer) becomes associated with fear due to a negative or traumatic experience.

Question 6

What’s counter-conditioning?

Answer 6

Counter-Conditioning: In systematic desensitization, counter-conditioning occurs, aiming to replace the fear response with a relaxation response. This is achieved by pairing the fear-inducing stimulus (e.g., computer) with relaxation techniques.

Question 7

What’s a relaxation response?

Answer 7

Relaxation Response: The individual is taught relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or progressive muscle relaxation, to induce a state of calmness.

Question 8

What are fear arousing steps?

Answer 8

Fear-Arousing Steps: Starting from the least anxiety-provoking item on the fear hierarchy, the individual is gradually exposed to each fear-arousing step while maintaining a relaxed state.

Question 9

What is meant by contiguous pairing?

Answer 9

Contiguous Pairing (Relaxation and Fear): During the exposure to each fear-arousing step, the relaxation response is continuously paired with the fear-inducing stimulus, weakening the association between fear and the stimulus.

Question 10

What is meant by the fear being extinguished?

Answer 10

Extinguished: Through the process of systematic desensitization, the fear response is extinguished, and the individual no longer experiences debilitating anxiety or phobic reactions.

Question 11

Covert Desensitization (Imagining)

In Vivo Desensitization (Actual Contact):

Answer 11

Systematic desensitization can be carried out in two ways: covert desensitization involves imagining the fear-arousing situations, while in vivo desensitization involves direct exposure to the actual fear-inducing stimuli.

Question 12

Outline Brosnan and Thorpe (2006) study

Answer 12

Brosnan and Thorpe (2006)

• Investigating technophobia (fear of computers) could be successfully treated by systematic desensitisation
• 30 computer anxious participants assigned to treatment and non -treatment group, 59 control
• The reduction in anxiety was 3x greater in the treated group than the non-treated group
• The success allows technophobes to participate in a technological world, reintegrating into society

Question 13

How does Brosnan and Thorpe (2006) study provide the approach with practical value? (AO3)-

Answer 13

It works -> practical value -> reintegrate into modern society -> get back to work

Question 14

Disadvantage of systematic desensitisation? (AO3)-

Answer 14

time consuming and expensive (-)

4-6 sessions, 45 minutes, if u leave halfway its unfinished. Each person’s fear hierarchy is unique, and tailoring the treatment accordingly demands significant therapist-patient interaction. These factors may limit the accessibility of this treatment to a wider population, potentially leaving some individuals without access to this beneficial intervention

Question 15

Outline flooding (AO1)

Answer 15

Flooding is a behavioural therapy which, rather than exposing a person to their phobic stimulus gradually, exposes the individual to the anxiety‐inducing stimulus IMMEDIATELY . For example, a person with a phobia of dogs would be placed in a room with a dog and asked to stroke the dog straight away. This intense exposure is done over an extended period of time in a SAFE and controlled manner. With flooding, a person is unable to avoid (NEGATIVELY REINFORCE) their phobia and through continuous exposure, anxiety levels eventually decrease. Since the option of employing avoidant behaviour is removed, EXTINCTION will soon occur since fear is a time‐limited response to a situation which eventually subsides. As EXHAUSTION sets in for the individual they may begin to feel a sense of calm and relief which creates a new positive association to the stimulus.

Question 16

What can be said about the applicability of this treatment?

Answer 16

not as suitable for a diverse range of patients as it can arguably induce trauma, but SD patient in control so more suitable (-)For instance, Wolpe (1969) reported the case of a client who had to be hospitalised because flooding made her so anxious

Question 17

What did wolpe 1969 report?

Answer 17

For instance, Wolpe (1969) reported the case of a client who had to be hospitalised because flooding made her so anxious

Question 18

Limitation of both treatments? AO3 -

Answer 18

Ineffective for all types, especially complex phobias such as social phobias, don’t target internal mental processes (cognitive), behavioural don’t target cognitive aspects. The main limitation of behavioral treatments for phobias is their focus on external behavior and neglect of cognitive aspects. While effective in reducing fear and associated behaviors, they fail to address the underlying cognitive processes contributing to phobia development and maintenance, such as negative thought patterns and irrational beliefs. Without directly targeting these cognitive aspects, behavioral treatments may offer only temporary relief, leaving cognitive triggers unaddressed. Combining behavioral therapies with cognitive interventions, like cognitive restructuring or cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), can lead to more lasting and comprehensive results by challenging and modifying the cognitive patterns perpetuating phobic responses.

Question 19

Limitation of both? AO3 (-)

Answer 19

The main limitation of behavioral treatments for phobias is their focus on external behavior and neglect of cognitive aspects. While effective in reducing fear and associated behaviors, they fail to address the underlying cognitive processes contributing to phobia development and maintenance, such as negative thought patterns and irrational beliefs. Without directly targeting these cognitive aspects, behavioral treatments may offer only temporary relief, leaving cognitive triggers unaddressed. Combining behavioral therapies with cognitive interventions, like cognitive restructuring or cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), can lead to more lasting and comprehensive results by challenging and modifying the cognitive patterns perpetuating phobic responses.