Phobias: Systematic Desensitisation Flashcards
Which learning theory is systematic desensitisation based on?
Classical conditioning.
How is this theory used to treat phobias?
Replacing the fear through associating the phobia with relaxation.
Why does using relaxation to replace fear work?
Because they are two opposing emotions which cannot be felt at the same time - reciprocal inhibition.
What is stage 1 of systematic desensitisation?
Functional analysis.
Describe stage 1 of systematic desensitisation.
Triggers of the phobia are established with the therapist through learning specific things about the phobia.
What is stage 2 of systematic desensitisation?
Construction of anxiety hierarchy.
Describe stage 2 of systematic desensitisation.
The hierarchy determines the least frightening situation (putting it at the bottom) and the most (putting it at the top).
What is stage 3 of systematic desensitisation?
Training in relaxation techniques.
Describe stage 3 of systematic desensitisation.
The patient is trained in relaxation methods ready to pair them with the phobia, such as meditation.
What is stage 4 of systematic desensitisation?
Gradual exposure.
Describe stage 4 of systematic desensitisation.
The patient works through the hierarchy through gradual exposure, during which they pair the relaxation methods they learnt with their experience with the stages.
Give an example of a 5 stage anxiety hierarchy, starting from least frightening to most.
1) Spider on the wall
2) Spider crawling towards you
3) Spider on your foot
4) Spider on your arm
5) Spider on your face
What is the average amount of sessions needed?
4-6
Which two ways can exposure be carried out?
1) In vitro
2) In vivo
Define an ‘in vitro’ exposure.
The patient imagines exposure to the phobic stimulus.
Define an ‘in vivo’ exposure.
The patient is actually exposed to the phobic stimulus.
Describe the scientific formula with the example of arachnophobia using 3 stages: before conditioning, during conditioning, and after conditioning.
1) Before Spider (UCS) --> Fear (UCR) Relaxation (NS) 2) During Spider (UCS) + Relaxation (NS) --> No fear (UCR) 3) After Spider (CS) --> No fear (CR)
Which theory explains modelling?
Social learning.
How can systematic desensitisation be paired with modelling?
A patient will observe someone else in the presence of the phobic stimulus who are responding with relaxation rather than fear. They are then encouraged to imitate the model.
Using the acronym ‘DESSERT’, evaluate a ‘different treatment’ point.
P - Flooding
E - It also uses classical conditioning to treat phobias by pairing relaxation with the experience of the worst situation
E - This treatment can be seen as more effective as it deals with the worst situation first
Using the acronym ‘DESSERT’, evaluate an ‘expense’ point.
P - Relatively cheap
E - Treatment is available on the NHS and data is easy to measure to due specified goals
E - Therefore the data can be easily compiled providing a good use
Using the acronym ‘DESSERT’, evaluate 2 ‘supporting studies’ points.
P - Gilroy et al (2003) supports
E - He found that 42 patients in the experimental condition had significantly reduced fear responses to spiders than control 3 months and 33 months after systematic desensitisation compared to flooding
E - This therefore shows effectiveness compared to flooding
P - McGrath’s (1990) study supports
E - Found that 75% of those with specific phobias showed significant improvements following treatment
E - Showing the effectiveness of the treatment
Using the acronym ‘DESSERT’, evaluate a ‘rejecting studies’ point.
P - McGrath’s (1990) research also rejects
E - He found social phobias (such as agoraphobia) have relapse rates of 50% in 6 months
E - Showing that the treatment may not be as effective for more complex phobias
Using the acronym ‘DESSERT’, evaluate a ‘side effects’ point.
P - There are no physical side effects
E - Due to not using biological treatment such as medicine
E - Therefore giving the treatment more credibility as it reduces side affects, such as nausea, that medicine may have elicited
Using the acronym ‘DESSERT’, evaluate an ‘ethics’ point.
P - Ethical
E - Due to the patient having more control over the stages in which they experience the phobic stimulus
E - Therefore gaining informed consent
Using the acronym ‘DESSERT’, evaluate a ‘mask’ point.
P - Masks symptoms
E - The therapy only treats observable symptoms
E - Therefore it doesn’t uncover the underlying cause
Using the acronym ‘DESSERT’, evaluate a ‘time commitment’ point.
P - Poor
E - Due to needing many sessions that can increase for extreme phobias
E - Therefore it is time consuming and may result in the patient giving up or becoming uncommitted
