L7 - behavioural approach to treating phobias

Question 1

what is systematic desensitisation

Answer 1

developed by wolpe to reduce phobias using classical conditioning, replaces irrational fears with calm and relaxed responses

Question 2

what is reciprocal inhibition and counter conditioning

Answer 2

the idea that it is impossible to experience opposite emotions at the same time - fear and relaxation
so if they can remain relaxed in presence of phobia, they can be cured

Question 3

step 1 in process of systematic desensitisation

Answer 3

hierarchy of fear constructed by therapist and patient
situations involving phobic object ranked from least to most fearful

Question 4

step 2 in process of systematic desensitisation

Answer 4

patients taught deep muscle relaxation techniques e.g. deep breathing and progressive muscular relaxation (PMR)
PMR - tense muscles, hold for few seconds, relax muscles to previous state, consciously relax muscles so patient is as relaxed as possible

Question 5

step 3 in process of systematic desensitisation

Answer 5

patient introduced to phobic object fradually
work way up fear hierarchy
use relaxation technique
when no longer afraid, move onto next stage in hierarchy
repeated exposure means phobia will be eliminated

Question 6

2 strengths of systematic desensitisation

Answer 6

• less traumatic than other methods like flooding, less ethical implications (less psychological harm), less upsetting for patient to endure
• klosko used different therapies for treatment of panic disorders, found 87% after sd, 50% after medication, 36% after placebo and 33% after no treatment, so sd is more effective

Question 7

weakness of systematic desensitisation

Answer 7

not always practical
some phobias are more difficult to arrange and control, e.g. sharks
difficult to apply to real life phobias
questions effectiveness

Question 8

what is flooding

Answer 8

directly exposing phobic patient to feared object
taught relaxation techniques before hand and has immediate exposure

Question 9

what are the two ways flooding can be done

Answer 9

in vivo - in real life
virtually - imagining the situation

Question 10

how does flooding work

Answer 10

patient has no option for avoidance
cannot run away or hide so quickly learn that phobic object is harmless
extinction occurs
ethical with fully informed consent

Question 11

strength of flooding

Answer 11

cost effective compared to therapies which take months/years
quick therapy and useful as patients are free of their symptoms asap
cost effective and cheaper

Question 12

2 weaknesses of flooding

Answer 12

• less effective for social phobias, cognitive aspects which flooding cannot address well e.g. negative thoughts about public speaking
• traumatic, some are unwilling to continue to end, waste of time and money, phobia remains uncured