psychopathology Systematic desensitization

Question 1

STRENGTH, HAMBURGER, SUPPORTING EVIUD FOR EFFECTIVENESS

Answer 1

One strength is that there is supporting evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of this treatment for phobias.
McGrath et al (1990) found that 75% with phobias were successfully treated using vivo techniques . This shows that they were effective.

Question 2

STRENGTH, HAMBURGER, GILROY

Answer 2

Supporting evidence comes from Gilroy et al (2002).

He examined 42 patients with arachnophobia. Each patient treated using 3x 45min sessions of SD.
When examined after 3 months then 33 months , the SD groups were less fearful than the control (only relaxation tech).

This is a strength as it shows support for SD as a long term treatment for phobias.

Question 3

STRENGTH, DOUBLE WHOPPER, DIVERSE

Answer 3

SD is suitable for a diverse range of patients. A lot of individuals with anxiety disorders like phobias also have learning difficulties.
These LD make it hard for some patients to understand what is happening during alternative treatments to SD like flooding, or engaging in cognitive therapies for reflection.
This is a strength since it shows that systematic desensitization is a appropriate for many.

Question 4

HAMBURGER, LIMITATION, NOT EFFECTIVE FOR ALL

Answer 4

A limitation is that it is not effective for all phobias.
Patients who’ve not developed phobias through personal experiences (classical) e.g heights aren’t necessarily learned.
Some psychologists think that phobias like fer of height have an evolutionary advantage and aren’t a result of personal experiences but the result of evolution.
Therefore, this highlights the problem in SD that it can’t explain evolutionary phobias.

Question 5

LIMITATION, HAMBURGER, REPLACED EASILY

Answer 5

It’s a common criticism that when 1 phobia leaves, another replaces it.
For example, the fear of a snake might be replaced by a fear of trains.
This symptom suggests that SD isn’t effective at treating phobias.