Phobia Treatment

Question 1

Systematic Desensitisation

Answer 1

Counter-Conditioning : Associating the fear w something relaxing

Graduated Exposure : Introduction to the phobia in stages (looking at pictures, close contact, handling)

Question 2

SODA - Systematic Desensitisation

Answer 2

S - Based on Classical Conditioning which has strong supporting evidence (Pavlovs Dogs) in lab conditions

O - Can be unethical exposing patients to their fears, could even make them more scared

D - Much more ethical than flooding as it slowly introduces to the fear, flooding skips the stimulus hierarchy which can cause trauma

A - Rothbaum et Al. (1995) created a virtual reality helmet that shows a phobic situation. When the patient’s heart rate is too high the video freezes. Good as it reduces trauma while still being effective

Question 3

Flooding

2

Answer 3

Exposing the patient to their phobia instantly.
Works as the body can only stay in the alarm stage for a short period of time. As things return to neutral, the patient will no longer feel frightened.

Question 4

Flooding SODA

Answer 4

S - Based on Classical Conditioning, which has lots of supporting evidence (Pavlovs Dogs). Research shows phobias are learned through association therefore can be unlearned the same way

O - Unethical as exposing patients to fears can cause trauma.

D - Different to systematic Desensitisation as it involves completely skipping the stimulation hierarchy.

A - Often used in cognitive behavioural therapy alongside systematic Desensitisation to effectively treat phobias