Psychotherapy A 8

Question 1

Persuasion in context

Answer 1

therapeutic setting; client’s setting (influencing permanent change)

Question 2

The most important effective therapist style involved (2)

Answer 2

1) unconditional positive regard (accepted the client and their pathology); 2) positive reinforcement for client behaviours that approximated agreed-upon treatment goals

Question 3

A rewarding therapeutic situation for the therapist (5)

Answer 3

is this case interesting, stimulating, rewarding; 2) will they be effective with this client; 3) is this case the most effective use of therapist time; 4) having confidence in therapy (methods/techniques); 5) expecting client to change/improve

Question 4

What is the most effective therapy for simple phobias

Answer 4

systematic desensitisation

Question 5

Evidence for a placebo effect in psychotherapy

Answer 5

Paul (1967) evaluated two major therapeutic techniques in treating simple phobias and included two (placebo) control groups

Question 6

Paul (1967) findings

Answer 6

behavioural systematic desensitisation group had 85% improvement; psychoanalytic-insight therapy had 50% improvement; placebo control self-help group discussion had 50% improvement; wait list control had 22% improvement

Question 7

Conclusion Paul (1967)

Answer 7

sizeable placebo effect

Question 8

Another piece of evidence for a placebo effect in psychotherapy

Answer 8

Placebo challenge Sullivan & Denny (1977)

Question 9

Sullivan & Denny (1977)

Answer 9

manipulated the clients’ expectation of the most effective treatment of simple phobias; some told systematic desensitisation would work, some told experimental outcome was unknown

Question 10

Sullivan & Denny (1977) results

Answer 10

those who were told systematic desensitisation would work had nearly 100% change; those who were told systematic desensitisation was experimental had some positive clinical change; those on a wait list control had no change (above spontaneous remission)

Question 11

Conclusion of Sullivan & Denny (1977)

Answer 11

without positive expectancy effect, minimal theraputic change

Question 12

Goldstein (1973)

Answer 12

therapist institutional discrimination; reviewed closed case files of two patient types (YAVIS and HOUNDS)

Question 13

YAVIS patients

Answer 13

young; attractive; verbal; intelligent; successful

Question 14

Non-YAVIS patients (HOUNDS)

Answer 14

homely; old; ugly; non-verbal; dull

Question 15

Goldstein (1973) findings about HOUNDS (7)

Answer 15

found non-YAVIS clients were 1) more likely to be found unacceptable for treatment; 2) spend more time on clinic’s waiting list; 3) drop out after initial interview; 4) be given a less desirable diagnosis; 5) be assigned the least experienced staff member; 6) have different expectations about treatment and outcome; 6) be terminated earlier