Phobias: Systematic Desensitisation

Question 1

Which learning theory is systematic desensitisation based on?

Answer 1

Classical conditioning.

Question 2

How is this theory used to treat phobias?

Answer 2

Replacing the fear through associating the phobia with relaxation.

Question 3

Why does using relaxation to replace fear work?

Answer 3

Because they are two opposing emotions which cannot be felt at the same time - reciprocal inhibition.

Question 4

What is stage 1 of systematic desensitisation?

Answer 4

Functional analysis.

Question 5

Describe stage 1 of systematic desensitisation.

Answer 5

Triggers of the phobia are established with the therapist through learning specific things about the phobia.

Question 6

What is stage 2 of systematic desensitisation?

Answer 6

Construction of anxiety hierarchy.

Question 7

Describe stage 2 of systematic desensitisation.

Answer 7

The hierarchy determines the least frightening situation (putting it at the bottom) and the most (putting it at the top).

Question 8

What is stage 3 of systematic desensitisation?

Answer 8

Training in relaxation techniques.

Question 9

Describe stage 3 of systematic desensitisation.

Answer 9

The patient is trained in relaxation methods ready to pair them with the phobia, such as meditation.

Question 10

What is stage 4 of systematic desensitisation?

Answer 10

Gradual exposure.

Question 11

Describe stage 4 of systematic desensitisation.

Answer 11

The patient works through the hierarchy through gradual exposure, during which they pair the relaxation methods they learnt with their experience with the stages.

Question 12

Give an example of a 5 stage anxiety hierarchy, starting from least frightening to most.

Answer 12

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

Question 13

What is the average amount of sessions needed?

Answer 13

4-6

Question 14

Which two ways can exposure be carried out?

Answer 14

1) In vitro

2) In vivo

Question 15

Define an ‘in vitro’ exposure.

Answer 15

The patient imagines exposure to the phobic stimulus.

Question 16

Define an ‘in vivo’ exposure.

Answer 16

The patient is actually exposed to the phobic stimulus.

Question 17

Describe the scientific formula with the example of arachnophobia using 3 stages: before conditioning, during conditioning, and after conditioning.

Answer 17

1) Before
Spider (UCS) --> Fear (UCR)
Relaxation (NS)
2) During
Spider (UCS) + Relaxation (NS) --> No fear (UCR)
3) After
Spider (CS) --> No fear (CR)

Question 18

Which theory explains modelling?

Answer 18

Social learning.

Question 19

How can systematic desensitisation be paired with modelling?

Answer 19

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.

Question 20

Using the acronym ‘DESSERT’, evaluate a ‘different treatment’ point.

Answer 20

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

Question 21

Using the acronym ‘DESSERT’, evaluate an ‘expense’ point.

Answer 21

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

Question 22

Using the acronym ‘DESSERT’, evaluate 2 ‘supporting studies’ points.

Answer 22

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

Question 23

Using the acronym ‘DESSERT’, evaluate a ‘rejecting studies’ point.

Answer 23

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

Question 24

Using the acronym ‘DESSERT’, evaluate a ‘side effects’ point.

Answer 24

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

Question 25

Using the acronym ‘DESSERT’, evaluate an ‘ethics’ point.

Answer 25

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

Question 26

Using the acronym ‘DESSERT’, evaluate a ‘mask’ point.

Answer 26

P - Masks symptoms
E - The therapy only treats observable symptoms
E - Therefore it doesn’t uncover the underlying cause

Question 27

Using the acronym ‘DESSERT’, evaluate a ‘time commitment’ point.

Answer 27

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