Psychopathology: Behavioural approach to treating phobias Flashcards
What is the aim of behavioural approach?
To replace fear with an association to relaxation/calmness.
What are the two ways of treating phobias?
Systematic Desensitisation + Flooding
What is the aim of SD?
To extinguish an undesirable behaviour by replacing it with a more desirable one. Counterbalancing.
What is the 1st stage of SD?
Phobia is broken down into anxiety hierarchy.
2nd stage of SD?
Involves the therapist teaching relaxation techniques, such as breathing exercises.
3rd stage of SD?
Gradual exposure.
-Leads to the extinction of fear association and a new association with relaxation.
What study supports SD?
McGraph (1990) : Curing a girls phobia of loud noises.
What is flooding?
Attempt to counter condition the phobia by immediate + full exposure to the maximum level.
- Will cause temporary panic.
- Prevention of avoidance, until fear is extinguished.
What study supports flooding?
Joseph Wolpe (1970)
- Took a girl scared of cars and drove her for 4 hours.
- Eventually realised there was no danger.
Compare SD and Flooding?
- SD is often thought to be more successful as the client is in control of their progress.
- SD has a higher completion rate, possibly due to focus on relaxation and resting.
- Flooding isn’t appropriate for older people, heart conditions and children due to ethics.
Flooding positives?
- Cost effective: compared to cognitive therapies its highly effective and quicker.
- Studies support.
Negatives of flooding?
- Less effective: not useful for social phobias.
- Ethics: Psychological harm.