phobias- treating

Question 1

Who developed Systematic Desensitization?

Answer 1

Wolpe

Question 2

What principle is Systematic Desensitization based on?

Answer 2

-the principle of counter-conditioning.

Question 3

True or False? Systematic Desensitization treatment can only be carried out with imagined situations?

Answer 3

False- real and imagined situations

Question 4

True or False? Systematic Desensitization involves the phobic stimulus being introduced straight away?

Answer 4

False- the phobic stimulus causing anxiety is introduced gradually,

Question 5

What is a fear hierarchy?

Answer 5

-a list of situations related to the phobic stimulus that provoke anxiety arranged in order from least to most frightening.

Question 6

Explain relaxation in Systematic Desensitization?

Answer 6

-the therapist teaches the client to relax as deeply as possible. It is impossible to
be relaxed and afraid at the same time- one emotion prevents the other which is called reciprocal inhibition.
-The relaxation can include breathing exercises or mental imagery techniques or drugs such as valium

Question 7

Explain exposure in Systematic Desensitization?

Answer 7

-the client is exposed to the phobic stimulus while in a relaxed state.
-This takes place across several sessions, starting at the bottom of the desensitization hierarchy.
-When the client can stay relaxed in the presence of the lower levels of the hierarchy, they can move up.
-If they stay relaxed the treatment is successful.

Question 8

What is Flooding?

Answer 8

-immediate exposure to a very frightening situation/ the phobic stimulus

Question 9

Which is treatment process is longer, Systematic Desensitization or Flooding?

Answer 9

-Systematic Desensitization

Question 10

What is reciprocal inhibition?

Answer 10

-One emotion cannot be felt at the same time as the other- anxiety and relaxation cannot occur at the same time

Question 11

When is treatment for phobias considered successful?

Answer 11

-When the client can stay calm in the presence of the phobic stimulus

Question 12

What are the strengths of behavioural treatments for phobias?

Answer 12

-research support for systematic desensitisation
-flooding provides a cost-effective
treatment for phobias.

Question 13

What are the limitations of behavioural treatments for phobias?

Answer 13

-systematic desensitization is not effective in treating all phobias
-flooding is highly traumatic for
patients and causes a high level
of anxiety.

Question 14

Explain the strength of behavioural treatments for phobias that there is research support for systematic desensitisation?

Answer 14

-research evidence demonstrates the effectiveness of this treatment for phobias
-McGrath et al. (1990) found that 75% of patients with phobias were successfully treated using systematic desensitization. -This shows that systematic desensitization is effective in treating phobias.

Question 15

Explain the limitation of the behavioural treatments for phobias that systematic desensitization is not effective in treating all phobias?

Answer 15

-Patients with phobias which have not developed through a personal experience (classical conditioning) for example, a fear of heights, are not effectively treated using systematic
desensitization.
-Some psychologists believe that certain phobias, like heights, have a survival benefit and are not the result of
personal experience, but the result of evolution.
-These phobias highlight a limitation of systematic desensitization which is
ineffective in treating evolutionary phobias.

Question 16

Explain the strength of behavioural treatments for phobias that -flooding provides a cost-effective treatment for phobias?

Answer 16

-Research has suggested that flooding is comparable to other treatments, including systematic desensitization and cognition therapies (Ougrin, 2011).
-However it is significantly quicker.
-This is a strength because it makes it more cost-effective for health service providers.

Question 17

Explain the strength of behavioural treatments for phobias that flooding is highly traumatic for patients?

Answer 17

-Although patients provide informed consent, many do not complete
their treatment because the experience is too stressful
-therefore flooding is sometimes a waste of time and money if patients do not finish their therapy.