*Behaviourist Approach To Treating Phobias Flashcards
What is systematic desensitisation?
A type of behavioural therapy designed to gradually reduce phobias
What psychological principle does systematic desensitisation primarily use?
Classical conditioning
What is the goal of systematic desensitisation?
To teach a person to relax in the presence of their phobia
What is the process of creating an anxiety hierarchy?
A list of situations related to the phobia, ordered from least to most frightening
What is reciprocal inhibition in the context of systematic desensitisation?
It is impossible to be scared and relaxed at the same time
What techniques are commonly used for relaxation in systematic desensitisation?
Breathing or imagery techniques
What happens during the exposure phase of systematic desensitisation?
The client is exposed to the phobia while relaxed, starting from the bottom of the hierarchy
What is flooding in the context of phobia treatment?
Immediate exposure to the phobia without gradual build-up
How does flooding differ in terms of session length compared to systematic desensitisation?
Sessions last longer than systematic desensitisation
What is a key benefit of flooding?
Client learns quickly that the phobia is harmless
What must clients provide before undergoing flooding therapy?
Fully informed consent
What was the finding of Gilroy et al (2003) regarding systematic desensitisation?
SD clients with spider phobia were less fearful than a control group
What did Wechsler et al (2019) conclude about systematic desensitisation?
SD works for all three types of phobias
What is a limitation of virtual reality in systematic desensitisation?
Clients may become virtually cured but not in real life
What is one strength of flooding therapy?
It is very cost-effective
What is a significant limitation of flooding?
It is highly unpleasant for the client
What does clinical effectiveness refer to in the context of therapy?
How well a therapy tackles symptoms
What is a potential negative outcome of flooding therapy, according to Persons (1986)?
A woman developed a fear of being criticised after being cured of a fear of death
Fill in the blank: Systematic desensitisation teaches a person to _______ in the presence of their phobia.
relax
True or False: Flooding allows for gradual exposure to phobias.
False
What is one method for exposing clients to phobias in virtual reality?
Simulating environments such as a virtual jungle for snakes
What is a drawback of virtual reality systematic desensitisation?
It can be expensive
