Psychopathology: Behavioural approach to treating phobias

Question 1

What is systematic desensitisation?

Answer 1

Behavioural therapy designed to gradually reduce phobic anxiety through the principle of classical conditioning.
- If sufferer learns to relax in the presence of phobic stimulus, they will be cured.

Question 2

SYSTEMATIC DESENSITISATION
What is the new response learned?

Answer 2

New response to the phobic stimulus is learned which is RELAXATION

Question 3

SYSTEMATIC DESENSITISATION
What is the learning of a different response called

Answer 3

counterconditioning

Question 4

What are the 3 processes involved in systematic desensitisation?

Answer 4

1. Anxiety hierarchy
2. Relaxation
3. Flooding

Question 5

1. What is ANXIETY HIERARCHY involved in systematic desensitisation?

Answer 5

It is put together by the patient and therapist
- This is a list of situations related to the phobic stimulus arranged from the least to most frightening.

Question 6

2. What is RELAXATION involved in systematic desensitisation?

Answer 6

It is when the therapist teaches the patient to relax as deeply as possible

Question 7

2. What are examples of relaxation techniques that is taught by the therapist?

Answer 7

• breathing exercises
• mental imagery techniques
• meditation

(or drugs)

Question 8

3. What is EXPOSURE involved in systematic desensitisation?

Answer 8

• It is when the patient is exposed to the phobic stimulus starting from the bottom of the anxiety hierarchy, moving up to higher levels, when patient can successfully relax in each levels.

Question 9

What is flooding?

Answer 9

• It involves exposing patients to phobic stimulus without gradual build-up in an anxiety hierarchy.
• immediate exposure

Question 10

How long does flooding usually last compared to systematic desensitisation?

Answer 10

• Longer than systematic desensitisation sessions.
• Sometimes only one session to cure a phobia that is 2-3 hours.

Question 11

How does flooding work

Answer 11

• It stops phobic response very quickly
• Without option of avoidance, patient learns that phobic stimulus is harmless

Question 12

HOW DOES FLOODING WORK
In classical conditioning, what is the process called when patient’s phobic response of fear stops? Give an example.

Answer 12

• Process is called EXTINCTION in classical conditioning.
  EXAMPLE: Learned response is extinguished when conditioned stimulus (dog) is encountered without unconditioned stimulus (bitten).

Question 13

ETHICAL SAFEGUARDS
Flooding is unethical so what is important that we do?

Answer 13

• Give patients fully informed consent before flooding session.
• Give patients the choice of systematic desensitisation.