L7 - Behavioural Therapies for Phobias

Question 1

Define systematic desensitisation

Answer 1

Replacing irrational fears with calm, relaxed responses in presence of the phobia

Question 2

What’s involved in SD

Answer 2

Constructing a hierarchy of fear
Learning relaxation techniques
Exposure

Question 3

What is a hierarchy of fear?

Answer 3

Situations with the phobic stimulus ranked from least to most frightening

Question 4

What are some relaxation techniques taught?

Answer 4

Deep breathing

Progressive muscular relaxation

Question 5

Describe PMR

Answer 5

Tense and relax muscle groups starting with ones at the bottom of the body and working up

Question 6

Describe exposure

Answer 6

Put in situations in hierarchy of fear with phobic stimulus
Only progress when comfortable with the current stage
Use relaxation techniques taught

Question 7

Advantages SD

Answer 7

Avoids psychological harm flooding has
Not put directly in
No trauma

Question 8

Disadvantages of SD

Answer 8

• Address symptoms not cause so symptoms will return or be substituted
• Not always practical e.g. fear of sharks

Question 9

Describe flooding

Answer 9

Direct, immediate exposure to frightening situation with phobia
Taught relaxation techniques like SD

Question 10

What process occurs during flooding?

Answer 10

Extinction
Can’t avoid so realise harmlessness
May be exhausted by own fear response

Question 11

Advantage of flooding related to case study

Answer 11

Girl put in car driven around for 4 hours
Was hysterical then became calm
Extinction

Question 12

Disadvantages

Answer 12

• Lots of psychological harm initially, may just worsen phobia
• Won’t work for fears more involving cognitive processes like fear of public speaking, need CBT