PS6. Behavioural Approach to Treating Phobias

Question 1

Systematic Desensitisation Aim

Answer 1

• therapy designed to reduce phobic anxiety through gradual exposure to phobic stimulus
• relies upon counterconditioning (learning new response to PS; e.g. relaxation not panic)
• works due to reciprocal inhibition (impossible to be both relaxed and anxious at the same time)

Question 2

Systematic Desensitisation Process

Answer 2

• ‘anxiety hierarchy’ created; phobic situations ranked least-to-most nerve-wrecking
• therapist then teaches relaxation techniques (breathing, meditation)
• patient works their way up hierarchy, only progressing to next level when they’ve remained calm in the first
• CURED when patient can remain calm at highest anxiety level

Question 3

+ Eval: Supported by Gilroy et al.

Answer 3

• followed up 42 patients treated in 3 session of systematic desensitisation for a spider phobia
• progress compared to a control group of 50 patients who learnt only relaxation techniques
• extent of phobias was measured using spider questionnaire and through observation
• at both 3 and 33 months, the SD group showed a reduction in symptoms as compared to a control group

Question 4

Flooding Aims

Answer 4

• designed to reduce phobic anxiety in one session, through immediate exposure to phobic stimulus
• relies on fact that it is physically impossible to maintain a state of heightened anxiety for a long period of time

Question 5

Flooding Process

Answer 5

• occurs in secure environment from which patient cannot escape, without practicing avoidance behaviour (not reinforced, so phobia not maintained)
• e.g Spider Phobia. Patient placed in room full of spiders in which they can crawl over them. Patient will eventually learn that the phobic stimulus is harmless

Question 6

+ Eval: Cost-Effective

Answer 6

• cheaper compared to cognitive therapies
• patient only needs one session in order to be ‘cured’; in contrast to needing multiple during SD

Question 7

• Eval: Less effective for complex phobias

Answer 7

• e.g. social phobias (require both anxiety and cognitive aspects)
• cognitive therapy better in this case, in order to target distal cause of phobia