LS7 - Behavioural Approach To Treating Phobias - SD & Flooding

Question 1

Systematic Desensitisation

Answer 1

A behavioural therapy developed by Wolpe (1958) to reduce/diminish phobias by using classical conditioning. SD uses classical conditioning to replace irrational fear with calm and relaxed ones.

Question 2

Reciprocal inhibition

Answer 2

It’s impossible to experience 2 opposite emotions at the same time

Question 3

Counter Conditioning

Answer 3

When the patient has learnt to remain relaxed in the presence of their phobia.

Question 4

SD Processes

Answer 4

1. Hierarchy Of Fear
2. Relaxation Techniques
3. Gradual Exposure

Question 5

Hierarchy Of Fear

Answer 5

The therapist and patient construct a hierarchy of fear ranking situations from least to most fearful e.g. saying the word snake to holding a snake.

Question 6

Relaxation Techniques

Answer 6

Patients are taught deep muscle relaxation techniques i.e. deep breathing and PMR - tensing up muscles so that they’re as tight as possible and then relaxed them after a few seconds, relaxing them further, Patients sit quietly and comfortably working them further, Patients sit quietly and comfortably, working from their feet upwards relaxing muscles whilst breathing.

Question 7

Gradual Exposure

Answer 7

The patient works their way up the fear hierarchy using relaxation techniques until the phobia is eliminated.

Question 8

SD Strengths

Answer 8

Little Albert Study
High Success Rate
Less Traumatic

Question 9

SD Weaknesses

Answer 9

Practicality
Underlying Issues

Question 10

Little Albert Study (+)

Answer 10

Jones used SD to eradicate Little Peter’s phobia, this supports that SD is effective in removing phobias, even in younger people.

Question 11

Success Rates (+)

Answer 11

Klosko Et Al - Assessed various therapies for the treatment of panic disorders and found SD to have the highest success rate.

Question 12

Less Traumatic (+)

Answer 12

SD is less traumatic than other behavioural therapies e.g. flooding, therefore having less ethical implications.

Question 13

Practicality (-)

Answer 13

It’s difficult to desensitise some stuff e.g. sharks, questioning the effectiveness of the therapy.

Question 14

Underlying Issues (-)

Answer 14

Underlying issues that cause the phobia will still remain and symptom substitution will occur or symptoms will return.

Question 15

Symptom Substitution

Answer 15

When other abnormal behaviours replaced the ones that’ve been removed.

Question 16

Flooding

Answer 16

Directly exposing the patient to the phobic object in an immediate situation, after teaching them relaxation techniques - immediate exposure to a very extreme situation.

Question 17

How Does Flooding Work?

Answer 17

The patient quickly learns the phobic object is harmless and extinction will occur.

Question 18

Flooding Strengths

Answer 18

Cost effective
Ost

Question 19

Flooding Weaknesses

Answer 19

Social Phobias
Highly Traumatic

Question 20

Cost Effective (+)

Answer 20

It’s a quick therapy which is useful as patients are free of their symptoms quicker.

Question 21

Highly Effective (+)

Answer 21

Ost stated flooding is an effective/rapid treatment - the results can be applied to everyday situations.

Question 22

Social Phobias (-)

Answer 22

It’s less effective for some phobias like social phobias because it’s difficult to flood social situations.

Question 23

Highly Traumatic (-)

Answer 23

Many patients will pull out before the end, wasting time and money and leaving their phobias uncured, SD would suit some patients better.