Capafons study

Question 1

What were the aims of this contemporary study?

Answer 1

• To test whether systematic desensitisation is effective as a therapeutic technique for treating a fear of flying
• To test whether this can be achieved through a simulation

Question 2

Describe the sample

Answer 2

• 41 in total
• 20 in the treatment
• 8 males and 12 females with a mean age of 29.65
• 21 in the control group
• 9 males and 12 females with a mean age of 34.05

Question 3

What was the participant design?

Answer 3

Matched pairs:

• age
• sex

Question 4

Which sample method was used?

Answer 4

Volunteers through a media campaign advertising free treatment for aerophobia.

Question 5

What type of method was used?

Answer 5

Lab

Question 6

What was the IV?

Answer 6

Condition ppts were in

- e.g. treatment/control group

Question 7

What were the 3 DVs?

Answer 7

1) Diagnosis of fear with IDG-FV
- e.g. “How afraid of flying would you say you are?”
2) EMV measuring fear during flight, EPAV measuring catastrophic thoughts
3) Physiological measures

Question 8

Briefly describe part 1 of the procedure of Capafons.

Answer 8

• interviewed completing self-report measures DV 1/2
• Before video = physiological response measured (3min)
• later called back (watch simulation): flying/packing suitcase/landing
• feel as involved as possible to video
• Room temp = 22.5 degrees
• screen distance = 1.8m
• physiological responses also measured during the watching

Question 9

Briefly describe part 2 of the procedure of Capafons.

Answer 9

1) Experimental group
- Took lace over 8 weeks
- Ppts had 2 one hour sessions per week
- 1st phase: relaxation training of breathing (4 sessions)
- 2nd phase: going through hierarchy (2 sessions)
- 3rd phase: applying it (3-5 sessions)
2) Control group
- Received no treatment yet

Question 10

Briefly describe part 3 of the procedure of Capafons.

Answer 10

• Carried out after the patient had taken 2 in vivo flights (out and return)
• 1st flight = 1 week after treatment
• During take off (recordings)= heart rate, muscular tension, palm temp.

Question 11

What were the results of this contemporary study?

Answer 11

• before and after treatment = All variables decreased (treatment group)
• 12.3 increase in fear during flight (after treatment) for the treatment group compared to a 9.8 increase (control group)
• Catastrophic thoughts (treatment group) = 5.3 decreased whereas 0.09 increased = control group

Question 12

Describe the conclusion of this experiment.

Answer 12

• Overall there was a successful decrease in fear of flying in the treatment group
• There was no corresponding reduction in fear in the control group
• This shows that a mere passing of time is not enough to reduce fear