Psychopathology AO3 Flashcards
What is research to support (strength) of systematic desensitisation?
Research to support the effectiveness of systematic desensitisation as a behavioural treatment for phobias was conducted by Gilroy (2003). She followed up 42 people who had SD for spider phobias in three 45-minute sessions using gradual exposure. At both three months after treatment and thirty-three months after treatment, the SD group were much less fearful than a control group who were treated with a therapy that did not use exposure to a phobic stimuli as part of therapy. Therefore, suggesting that re associating a phobia with relaxation through systematic desensitisation is an effective behavioural treatment for phobias.
What is a limitation of systematic desensitisation?
Despite there being evidence of SD being effective, it could be argued that systematic desensitisation as a behavioural treatment for phobias may not be appropriate for all patients as it requires motivation and commitment from patients. Patients must attend sessions over a period of time and be exposed to anxiety provoking situations, this may make some patients stop therapy. If patients stop attending therapy, then the therapy is ineffective, and their anxieties will return. This is unlike drug therapy which requires little motivation and commitment from patients as they only have to take a tablet to reduce anxiety that they feel, which does not require much will power. Therefore, limiting the appropriateness of systematic desensitisation as a behavioural treatment for phobias.
Strength of systematic desensitisation
One strength of systematic desensitisation as a behavioural treatment for phobias is that the patient has high control over their own therapy. this is because they create their own hierarchy of anxiety with the therapist, are gradually exposed to feared stimuli and only move on to the next stage when fully relaxed. This is unlike flooding which can be quite traumatic for patients as they are immediately exposed to their most feared stimuli, which can cause high anxiety levels. Therefore, suggesting systematic desn is and appropriate treatment for phobias because patients often opt for this therapy and are less likely to drop out ( low attrition rates) ,
What is a strength of flooding?
A strength of flooding as a treatment for phobias is that it is a highly cost effective way to treat a phobia. This is because the therapy has been found to be effective, yet it is not expensive. Flooding can work in as little as one session due to the immediate exposure and extinction of the phobia, unlike in SD, which could take up to 10 sessions for the same result due to gradual exposure of the phobic stimulus. Therefore, flooding might be a more cost effective treatment for the NHS to use. Therefore, flooding may be regarded as a more appropriate therapy to use in the real world. This could benefit the economy as more people would be treated for phobias in less time using fewer resources so reducing the cost of treating phobias to society.
