Lesson 7 - Behavioural Therapies for Phobias Flashcards
Who developed Systematic Desensitisation (SD)?
Wolpe (1958)
What is Systematic Desensitisation (SD)?
SD is a behavioural therapy used to reduce or completely diminish phobias by using classical conditioning. SD uses classical conditioning to replace the irrational fears and anxieties associated with phobic objects with calm and relaxed responses instead.
The idea is based upon counter conditioning, and reciprocal inhibition.
What is reciprocal inhibition?
This is the idea that it is impossible to experience two opposite emotions at the same time: e.g. in this case, fear and relaxation
What is counter conditioning?
This is the idea that using reciprocal inhibition will teach a new emotional response to the phobic object.
What are the 3 stages of Systematic Desensitisation (SD)?
1) The Hierarchy of Fear
2) Relaxation Techniques
3) Gradual Exposure
What is the Hierarchy of Fear?
A hierarchy of fear is constructed by the therapist and the patient. It lists situations involving the phobic object, from least fearful to most fearful. For example, the least fearful might be to look at a photo of a snake, but the most fearful might be to hold a snake.
What are relaxation techniques?
Patients would be taught ‘deep muscle relaxation techniques’, such as: deep breathing;
progressive muscular relaxation (PMR);
and the relaxation response.
The idea behind PMR is that it a group of muscles will be tensed up tightly, and then held there for a few seconds before relaxing them consciously. While doing this the patient should relax, breathe deeply and imagine relaxing situations.
What is gradual exposure?
This is when the patient experiences the situations theorised in the fear hierarchy. They must use the relaxation technique within these situations, in order to try and eliminate the phobia. This process takes many therapy sessions.
Evaluation of Systematic Desensitisation (SD) - Jones
Jones (1924) supports the use of SD to eradicate ‘Little Peter’s’ phobia. Jones presented Peter with a white rabbit at gradually closer distances. Peter’s anxiety lessened over time, and he eventually developed affection for the white rabbit, which then extended to all things white and fluffy. This shows how SD can eliminate phobias.
Evaluation of Systematic Desensitisation (SD) - Klosko
Klosko (1990) supports the use of SD. He assessed many therapies for the treatment of panic disorders. He found that after SD, 87% of patients were panic free, whereas only 50% were panic free post medication, 36% after placebo and 33% with no treatment. SD is clearly more effective than other methods.
Evaluation of Systematic Desensitisation (SD) - Safe and not harmful
SD is a significantly less traumatic therapy, especially when compared with flooding. SD has less ethical implications, so it is less upsetting for the patient to endure.
Evaluation of Systematic Desensitisation (SD) - Not always practical in real life
A disadvantage of SD is that it is not always practical for individuals to be desensitized by confronting real life phobic situations. Situations in real life are significantly more difficult to arrange and control, so it may be harder to apply relaxation techniques in these scenarios.
Evaluation of Systematic Desensitisation (SD) - Symptom subsitution
Behavioural treatments do not address the underlying causes of the phobia. In future, the symptoms may return or symtpom substitution may occur. This is where other abnormal behaviours replace the ones that have been removed.
What is flooding?
Flooding is where the phobic patient is placed in an immediate situation with the feared object. The patient will be taught relaxation techniques as they were. This can be done “in vivo” which means in real life, or in an imagined situation.
How effective is flooding?
Flooding stops phobic responses very quickly. This is because there is no option for avoidance behaviours. They might quickly learn that the phobic object is harmless, which causes immediate extinction.
