psychopathology explanations + treatments

Question 1

what approach is used to explain phobias

Answer 1

Behavioural

Question 2

What 2 studies/psychologists are used to explain phobias

Answer 2

Mowrer
Watson and Rayner - little Albert

Question 3

What did Mowrer propose

Answer 3

Phobias are learnt through classical conditioning and maintained through operant conditioning (negative reinforcement etc)

called the two process model

Question 4

what did Watson and Rayner do

Answer 4

Study with little Albert
- associated loud bang with small fluffy animal
- through stimulus generalisation he was scared of white hairy objects

Question 5

strengths for behavioural explanations for phobias

Answer 5

• Gilroy et al, real world application, phobias can be treated by preventing avoidance (systematic desensitisation and flooding), therefore the explanation is accurate
• Sue et al, people often remember traumatic events in relation to their phobias

Question 6

limitations for behavioural explanations for phobias

Answer 6

• Di Nardo et al, not all bad experiences lead to phobias, 56% of people with bad experience had a phobia whereas 50% who also had a bad experience didn’t develop a phobia
• ‘biological preparedness’, two process model might be correct however humans are genetically programmed to rapidly learn an association between potentially life threading stimuli and fear (Seligamn 1970), easier to acquire phobias from our evolutionary past (spiders not toasters) therefore it’s not JUST conditioning involved in acquisition of phobias

Question 7

what are the two behavioural treatments for phobias

Answer 7

systematic desensitisation and flooding

Question 8

which psychologist developed systematic desensitisation

Answer 8

Joseph Wolpe

Question 9

what is the acronym to remember the steps in systematic desensitisation

Answer 9

C ounter conditioning
R elaxation techniques
A nxiety hierarchy
G radual exposure

Question 10

what is counter conditioning

Answer 10

learning new positive associations

Question 11

what is reciprocal inhibition

Answer 11

two conflicting emotions, fear and relaxation, can’t co-exist

Question 12

what is an example of a relaxation technique

Answer 12

breathing techniques- box breathing

Question 13

what is the anxiety hierarchy

Answer 13

developed with the therapist, phobic lists feared stimuli from least to most frightening

Question 14

what is gradual exposure

Answer 14

Gradual exposure to each stage using relaxation technique. Progress up the hierarchy when fully calm. New association of relaxation is learnt

Question 15

strengths for systematic desensitisation

Answer 15

• effective for specific phobias, Gilroy et al : 42 patients, 3 45 minute sessions of SD, control group just relaxation, at 3 and 33 months SC group less fearful, therefore works in the long term
• more acceptable, as it is less traumatic then flooding it has lower drop out rates, suitable for diverse patients e.g children or learning difficulties

Question 16

limitations for systematic desensitisation

Answer 16

time and cost, many sessions needed (Wolpe said as many as 100) this is disruptive to patients lives and costly to the NHS or patient

Question 17

what is flooding

Answer 17

Immediate, extreme exposure to phobic stimulus without gradual buildup, one long session lasting a few hours

Fear response is exhausted as patients run out of energy. The learnt fear response to stimulus becomes extinct as avoidance is prevented

Patients have given fully informed consent

Question 18

strength for flooding

Answer 18

Cost-effective and quick – Choy et al, found that flooding is highly effective when compared to cognitive therapies and much quicker than SD (e.g. Wolpe 27 sessions). Therefore cheaper for NHS and less disruptive to life than alternative therapies

Question 19

limitation for flooding

Answer 19

Less effective for social phobias. These may involve cognitive aspects e.g. unpleasant thoughts. Therefore may need cognitive therapies