Phobias Treatment: Behaviourist Approach

Question 1

What is Systematic Desensitisation (SD)?

Answer 1

SD is a therapeutic technique based on the principle that two emotional states cannot exist at the same time.

Question 2

What is the basis of Systematic Desensitisation?

Answer 2

SD is based on Classical Conditioning.

Question 3

What is counterconditioning in the context of SD?

Answer 3

Counterconditioning involves teaching the patient a new association that counters the original fear response.

Question 4

How does Classical Conditioning relate to SD?

Answer 4

Classical conditioning is used to associate the phobic stimulus with relaxation instead of fear, thereby reducing anxiety.

Question 5

What is reciprocal inhibition?

Answer 5

Reciprocal inhibition is the process where the response of relaxation inhibits the response of anxiety.

Question 6

What relaxation techniques are taught in SD?

Answer 6

Patients learn techniques such as controlled breathing, visualising a peaceful scene, and progressive muscle relaxation.

Question 7

How does desensitisation occur in SD?

Answer 7

Desensitisation occurs gradually by introducing the person to the feared situation one step at a time.

Question 8

What are the steps involved in Systematic Desensitisation?

Answer 8

1) Teach relaxation techniques 2) Construct a desensitisation hierarchy 3) Gradually work through the hierarchy 4) Move to the next step only when the current step is mastered 5) Overcome fear by reaching the top of the hierarchy 6) Exposure can be in vivo or in vitro.

Question 9

What is meant by in vivo and in vitro exposure?

Answer 9

In vivo exposure involves actual exposure to the phobic stimulus, while in vitro exposure involves imagining exposure to the stimulus.

Question 10

What is the success rate of Systematic Desensitization (SD) for phobic disorders?

Answer 10

75% of phobic disorders respond to SD.

McGrath reported this finding.

Question 11

Which method is found to be the best for Systematic Desensitization?

Answer 11

In vivo (reality) is the best method compared to in vitro (images/imagining).

This finding was reported by Choy.

Question 12

How can modeling assist in Systematic Desensitization?

Answer 12

Modeling can help by allowing individuals to watch someone cope well with the feared stimulus.

This was found by Comer.

Question 13

How do therapies like SD compare to psychotherapies?

Answer 13

Therapies like SD are generally faster and require less effort than psychotherapies, which often require significant willpower from the patient.

Question 14

Who can benefit from Systematic Desensitization?

Answer 14

SD is useful for those who lack insight, such as children or adults with learning difficulties.

Question 15

Can Systematic Desensitization be self-administered?

Answer 15

Yes, SD can be self-administered and has been found to be just as effective as therapist-led SD, making it a cheaper option.

Question 16

Is Systematic Desensitization appropriate for all phobias?

Answer 16

No, it is not appropriate for all phobias.

Question 17

What limitation does Ohman suggest regarding Systematic Desensitization?

Answer 17

Ohman suggests that due to preparedness, SD may not be as effective for phobias with an evolutionary survival component, like fear of the dark.

Question 18

What is flooding in therapy?

Answer 18

Flooding is a long session (3 hours) where the patient experiences their phobia at its worst while practicing relaxation techniques.

Question 19

What are the two methods of flooding?

Answer 19

Flooding can be in vivo (actual exposure) or in virtual reality (VRET).

Question 20

What happens to the fear response during flooding?

Answer 20

The fear has a time limit, and as it is exhausted, a new association between the feared stimulus and relaxation is learned.

Question 21

How does flooding lead to quick learning?

Answer 21

Flooding allows for quick learning through extinction, as there is no option for avoidance and the fear response is exhausted.

Question 22

What is the process of flooding?

Answer 22

The patient is taught relaxation techniques, then flooded with their fear and overcomes it, all completed in one long session.

Question 23

Is flooding considered unethical?

Answer 23

Flooding is not unethical as long as the patient gives informed consent, but it is unpleasant.

Question 24

What is required from patients before flooding therapy?

Answer 24

It is important that those being treated give informed consent and are fully prepared for what to expect.

Question 25

What are the advantages of flooding?

Answer 25

Flooding is quick and cost-effective, requiring only one session compared to multiple sessions needed for systematic desensitization (SD).

Question 26

How effective is flooding compared to systematic desensitization?

Answer 26

Choy stated that flooding may be more effective than SD, but Craske concluded that both are equally effective.

Question 27

What are the cost benefits of flooding?

Answer 27

Flooding is cost-effective because it is clinically effective and can work in as little as one session.

Question 28

What are the potential drawbacks of flooding?

Answer 28

Flooding is very intense and can put the patient under extreme anxiety, leading some to quit during treatment.

Question 29

What did Schumacher et al find regarding flooding?

Answer 29

Schumacher et al found that participants and therapists rated flooding as more stressful than SD, raising ethical concerns about the stress caused.

Question 30

What is a potential issue with behavioral therapies like flooding?

Answer 30

Behavioral therapies remove symptoms but do not treat the overall cause, which may lead to symptom substitutions.

Question 31

What is an example of symptom substitution?

Answer 31

If a patient treats their fear of spiders, they may develop a new phobia of small rooms due to a traumatic experience.