Psychopathology(behavioural approach to treating phobias)

Question 1

There are two therapies discussed in order to allow counterconditioning -

Answer 1

Systematic desensitisation and Flooding (exposure therapies)

Question 2

Counterconditioning -

Answer 2

-Basis of therapy results in another association which counter the current association which leads to the gain of the phobia. The patient is taught through classical conditioning to associate the phobia stimulus with a new response (relaxation instead of fear), therefore the fear is desensitised.

Question 3

Relaxation in SD -

Answer 3

• The thing that is first taught is relaxation
• Patients focus on taking slow breathing measures
• This can help the individual focus and relax.

Question 4

SD performance -

Answer 4

SD involves gradually introducing the fear response to the patient (unlike flooding) so it doesn’t become overwhelming. The therapy is introduced through gradual steps. All the steps involve relaxation of muscles, a gradual increase of anxiety to the person, the person is moved onto the next step through the desensitisation of hierarchy

Question 5

desensitisation of hierarchy -

Answer 5

Gradual introduction of the fearful response once mastered each step then they can move onto a greater step until the situation is mastered. Results from least to most fearful stimuli.

Question 6

Flooding -

Answer 6

Immersed in the session for one long session, where the phobia is experiences at it’s worst, unlike the SD which is gradual. Session continues until the persons anxiety has disappeared, E.G a person who is afraid of spider may have sit with a large hairy spider present and may remain there until they are calm. Unlike SD it involves relatively short steps where a person relaxes their muscles and then is placed in the feared situation until anxiety is removed.

Question 7

Effectiveness for a range of phobias - SD

Answer 7

Shown to be successful for a range of phobias, McGrath found that 75% of his patients respond to SD, it appears to lie as being more effective with in contact experiences so In Vivo than, In Vitro which uses pictures or imaginary situations, suggests the idea of effeteness of SD but the value of using different exposure techniques.

Question 8

Not appropriate for all phobias - SD

Answer 8

May be suggested that SD may not be effective in treating phobias that have underlying evolutionary survival component (fear of dark, animals, heights) whereas ones learnt through direct observation have a much better chance of SD. So suggests SD as effective at treating only acquired and learnt phobias.

Question 9

Individual differences in the use of flooding -

Answer 9

It is not for every patient or even therapist, it can be a highly traumatic experience, patients are made aware of this, but ultimately may quit during the experiment which reduces effectiveness of therapy for some who cannot handle the procedure, therefore individual differences in some will limit the use of it counterconditioning phobias.