Flooding and Systematic Desensitisation (S.D.)

Question 1

what are the key features of Systematic Desensitisation?

Answer 1

• based off of C.C. (belief of phobia comes from here)
• developed by Wolpe 1950
• 4-6 sessions to abolish the phobia, 12 if server
• reciprocal inhibition: cant have 2 of the opposite emotions occur at the same time
• replace phobia with a more relaxed response

Question 2

what are the 2 different process of approach to S.D.?

Answer 2

Vitro: imaginary exposure to the object (fear)

Vivo: exposure to the real object (fear)

Question 3

4 stages of S.D: describe them

Answer 3

1. Functional analysis: just questions the client about the origin of phobia and possible triggers
2. Construction of an anxiety hierarchy: its in the name, orders the phobia in a anxiety provoking situation from least to most fearful
3. Relaxation training (the Desensitisation bit): taught to imagine happy scenarios, meditate (anything that helps the client calm down)
4. Gradual exposure (the systematic bit): past 3 stages combined and therapy begins

Question 4

what other research can this be used?

Answer 4

SLT of modelling can be used: observe model react with relaxed responses to the phobia hence encourage the client to imitate

• called participant modelling
• discovered by Bernstein 1997

Question 5

Strenghts

Answer 5

clear goals = easy to measure outcomes therefore data is seen as effective and a good scientific justification for future uses

huge application influence on NHS to treat anxiety (quick & affordable) = the reason? (the one above this one)

reliable (lang & lazovik 1963) as students fear of snaked fell between start of sessions 1 to end of 11 one (effect the majority) and continues to have effect for the passing 6 months (long term effects)

Question 6

Weaknesses

Answer 6

based off learning approach = unable to identify and treat the underlying causes of abnormality. therefore techniques can change behaviour but another problem can arise because causes have not been addressed e.g. treat phobia of spiders but might develop fear of bees.

cant work on everything. the patients needs to be fully involved or else wont treat phobia but not everyone can do this therefore SD can treat less severe disorders but nothing server as schizophrenia

vitro less effective than vivo method however used more as its more ethical than vivo as its vivo causes more distress to the person

traumatic experiences aren’t the only reason to explain phobia. Psychoanalytical psychologists say that its manifestoed in some underlying conflict but can use SLT to say that it was from observation of a model than direct personal experiences

Question 7

what are the key features of Flooding?

Answer 7

• also based off of C.C.

- believes that fear is learned and can be extinguished with the exposure of said fear

Question 8

what the is the key to the flooding technique?

Answer 8

Rapid exposure (to CS):        - extinction will occur as the client it too physically exhausted for CR to occur
- avoidance is prevented = extinction occur

Question 9

Strenghts (flooding)

Answer 9

Thomas Stampfl (mid 1960): 
solved the practicality by a bombardment of details of phobia for 6-9 hours = fear extinguished

Zev Wanderer reduces time 9 to 2 hours by using biofeedback machines (find the words that reciprocate intense reaction and focus on them)

future sessions are only 30min

fused in-office therapy & loop recordings so patients can do it at home

Question 10

Weaknesses (flooding)

Answer 10

unable to practically do it (when first introduced) without killing the patient in the process

too long (6-9)

panic always occurs at first and some patients can decide to not take the sessions