Psychopathology - behavioural approach to treating phobias Flashcards
What are the two ways from the behavioural approach to treat phobias?
Systematic desensitisation
Flooding
Explain what systematic desensitisation is
It is based on classical conditioning, counterconditioning and reciprocal inhibition
The therapy aims to gradually reduce anxiety through counterconditioning:
- phobia learned so that phobic stimulus (CS) produces fear (CR)
- CS is paired with relaxation and this becomes new CR
In systematic desensitisation what is reciprocal inhibition
Not possible to be afraid and relaxed at the same time, one emotion prevents the other
Explain the formation of an anxiety hierarchy in systematic desensitisation
Client and therapist design anxiety hierarchy- fearful stimuli arranged in order from least to most frightening
Explain how relaxation is practised at each level of hierarchy
Person with phobia is first taught relaxation techniques e.g deep breathing/meditation
Works through the anxiety hierarchy. Each level the person is exposed to phobic stimulus in relaxed state
Takes place over several sessions starting at the bottom. Treatment is successful when person can stay relaxed in high anxiety situations
What is flooding?
Immediate exposure to the phobic stimulus
Involves exposing a person with a phobia with the phobic object without gradual build up
Why is flooding very quick through extinction?
Without the option of avoiding, the person quickly learns that phobic object is harmless through the exhaustion of their fear response
Why does flooding have some ethical safeguards?
Flooding is not unethical but it is an unpleasant experience so it is important that people being treated give informed consent
Must be fully prepared and know what to expect
What are the strengths of systematic desensitisation in treating phobias
Evidence of effectiveness
Usefulness for people with learning disabilities
Explain why a strength of systematic desensitisation in treating phobias is evidence of effectiveness (A03)
Point - One strength of SD is evidence of effectiveness
Evidence - Gilroy et al followed up 42 people who had SD for a spider phobia. At follow up, the SD group were less fearful than a control group
Review by Wechsler concluded that SD is effective for specific phobia, social phobia and agoraphobia
Link - Means SD is likely to be helpful for people with phobias
Explain why a strength of SD in treating phobias is its usefulness for people with learning disabilities (A03)
Point - A strength of SD is its usefulness for people with learning disabilities
Explanation - Main alternatives to SD, unsuitable for people with learning disabilities
Example - Cognitive therapies require high level of rational thought and flooding is distressing
SD - does not require understanding/engagement on cognitive level, not a traumatic experience
Link - SD often the most appropriate treatment for some people
What is a limitation of systematic desensitisation and explain why (A03)
The disadvantage of systematic desensitisation is that it is slow, and that it is often necessary to eventually implement some form of real-life exposure in order to fully reduce the fears
What is a strength of flooding?
It is cost effective
Explain why a strength of flooding as a behavioural approach in treating phobias is that it is cost effective (A03)
Point - One strength of flooding is that it is cost effective
Explanation - A therapy is described as cost effective if it is clinically effective, not expensive. Flooding can work as little as one session
Longer sessions (3hours) makes flooding cost effective than alternatives
Link - Meaning more people can be treated at same cost by flooding than by other therapies
What is a limitation of flooding?
It is traumatic
