Lesson 7 - Behavioural Treatments for Phobias

Question 1

Systematic Desensitisation

Answer 1

Behavioural therapy developed by Wolfe (1958) to reduce phobias using classical conditioning
A person experiences fear and anxiety as a behavioural response to a phobic object
SD replaces fear/anxiety with relaxed response instead
Central idea of SD is that it is impossible to experience two opposite emotions at the same time - Reciprocal Inhibition
Therefore, if patient can learn to remain relaxed in presence of phobia, it can be cured - Counter Conditioning

Question 2

Stages of Systematic Desensitisation

Answer 2

Anxiety Hierarchy
Relaxation Training
Gradual Exposure

Question 3

Stages of Systematic Desensitisation

Anxiety Hierarchy

Answer 3

Therapist and patient construct hierarchy of fear

Situations involving phobic object are ranked from least fearful to most fearful

Question 4

Stages of Systematic Desensitisation

Relaxation Training

Answer 4

Patients are taught deep muscle relaxation techniques such as progressive muscular relaxation (PMR) and the relaxation response
Idea is to tense up a gourd of muscles as tightly contracted as possible, hold them in state of extreme tension then relax
Finally consciously relax muscles further so patient is as relaxed as can be

Question 5

Stages of Systematic Desensitisation

Gradual Exposure

Answer 5

Patient is introduced to phobic object and they work their way up hierarchy of fear
Use relaxation techniques until fully comfortable and then move on up to next stage
Eventually phobia is eliminated

Question 6

Systematic Desensitisation Evaluation
Jones (1924)
Positive

Answer 6

Supports use of SD to eradicate Little Peter’s phobia of a white rabbit
Eventually developed affection for rabbit

Question 7

Systematic Desensitisation Evaluation
Klosko et al. (1990)
Positive

Answer 7

Supports use of SD
Assessed various therapies for treatment of panic disorders cant found 87% were panic free after receiving SD compared to 50% on medication, 36% on placebo and 33% with no treatment

Question 8

Systematic Desensitisation Evaluation
Underlying Causes
Negative

Answer 8

Behavioural therapies address symptoms of phobias
Critics believe symptoms are merely the tip if the iceberg and claim underlying causes remain
Future symptoms will return or symptom substitution will occur

Question 9

Flooding

Answer 9

Direct exposure of patient to phobic object
Patient is taught relaxation techniques such as deep muscle relaxation, deep breathing and meditation
No gradual build up
Immediate exposure to a very frightening and extreme situation
Stops phobic responses quickly as patient has no option for avoidance - learn object is harmless (extinction occurs)
Ethical but causes psychological harm but has informed consent

Question 10

Flooding Evaluation
Wolfe (1960)
Positive

Answer 10

Supports use of flooding to remove patient’s phobias of being in cars
A girl was forced into a car and driven around for four hours until her hysteria was eradicated
Demonstrates how effective flooding is as a treatment for phobias

Question 11

Flooding Evaluation
Trauma
Negative

Answer 11

Highly traumatic experience and some patients may be unwilling to continue with therapy to the end
Time and money will be wasted for preparation and then patient might decide they do not want to take part or complete treatment
Phobia remains uncured

Question 12

Behavioural Treatments for Phobias Evaluation Points

Answer 12

Systematic Desensitisation
Jones (1924) Positive
Klosko et al. (1990) Positive
Underlying Issues Negative

Flooding
Wolfe (1960) Positive
Trauma Negative