LEARNING THEORIES systematic desensitisation

Question 1

what is systematic desensitisation

Answer 1

• type of behavioural therapy based on classical conditioning
• aims to remove fear response and substitute a relaxation response using counter conditioning

Question 2

what is the first step

Answer 2

• taught relaxation techniques, important for reciprocal inhabition (one response is inhibited because it is incompatible with another)
• fear involves tension and tension is incompatible with relaxation

Question 3

step 2

Answer 3

• fear hierarchy is amde
  exposure done in two ways:
  in vitro = imagination
  in vivo = actually exposed to the fear

Question 4

step 3

Answer 4

• works their way up the fear hierarchy
• starts at least unpleasant and practises the relaxation techniques
• only move up once they feel comfortable

Question 5

A03 positive points

Answer 5

• Capafon’s - used SD to treat fear of flying, after 12 weeks there were lower levels
• useful application - Rothbaum - VR helmets to display phobias and uses gradual exposure which may not be possible IRL (sharks)
• social control - practitioner does not impose power over the client - more ethical than flooding

Question 6

A03 negative points

Answer 6

• reductionist - more effective with simple/ specific phobias - not so much with abstract concepts (social phobias)
• in vitro relies on client’s ability to imagine fearful situation - some cannot create vivid images
• SD doesn’t tackle underlying problems so more palliative than curative