Behaviourist approach to treating phobias

Question 1

Systematic desensitisation

Answer 1

When an individual learns techniques to relax and then is presented with a hierarchy of their phobia relaxing each time. this will, eventually, supress the phobia

Question 2

Flooding

Answer 2

Very intense and quick phobia reducing method. You are intensely surrounded by the phobia and taught to relax in the situation

Question 3

A03: Effectiveness of SD

Answer 3

McGrath found it was 75% effective.

Question 4

A03: SD not appropriate for all phobias

Answer 4

If it is an ancient phobia that has an evolutionary survival concept - SD can not be the treatment

Question 5

A03: Effectiveness of flooding

Answer 5

Choy - Flooding more effective than SD.

Question 6

A03: Flooding individual differences

Answer 6

Flooding requires extreme motivation. It is traumatic and can be very intense for the individual

Question 7

A03: Strengths of behavioural therapies

Answer 7

Cheaper, faster than other psychotherapy’s.