Saavedra And Silverman (procedure/results/conclusions)

Question 1

Procedure: Stage 1 (interview)

Answer 1

The boy and his mother were interviewed about the onsent of his phobia and subsequent behaviour.

They discussed whether any trauma and abuse could explain the boys phobia.

Question 2

Why did the researchers interview the boy and his mother?

Answer 2

To understand his specific feelings towards buttons before the treatment.

Question 3

What was the activating event?

Answer 3

The phobia had begun at age 5, when the boy knocked over a bowl of buttons, in-front of his class and teacher. He found the event distressing and his aversion to buttons from then steadily inc.

The phobia interfered sig with his normal functioning. (He couldn’t dress himself, preoccupied with avoiding buttons or clothing that could have touched buttons.

Question 4

Procedure: Stage 2
Creation of the feelings thermometer

Answer 4

Through a discussion with the boy they developed a feelings thermometer. The most feared item was small clear plastic buttons.

Question 5

Procedure: Positive reinforcement therapy

Answer 5

1. The boy was rewarded for handling the buttons and showing less fear when handling the buttons.
2. This positive reinforcement was issued by his mother only after he had completed a gradual exposure to the buttons.
3. Researchers observed how the boy approached the buttons. (E.g whether the buttons handled inc)
4. Researches measured subjective ratings of distress.

Question 6

Positive reinforcement therapy (results)

Answer 6

1. Successful completion of all tasks on the fear hierarchy.
2. The boy was observed approaching the buttons more positively (handling more buttons during later sessions)
3. Subjective distress ratings inc between session 2 and 3. By session 4 items such as hugging his mother wearing buttons had inc from original scores.

Question 7

How was the findings of the positive reinforcement therapy consistent with other research on evaluative learning?

Answer 7

Despite repeated exposures to the phobic stimuli, evaluative reactions and feelings remain unchanged or increased.

Question 8

Imagery exposure therapy (procedure)

Answer 8

1. The interview formed the basis of the disgust imagery exercises. He revealed he found buttons touching his body disgusting and smelly.
2. Disgust related imagery exposures were incorporated with cognitive self control strategies.
3. The boy was asked to visualise buttons falling in him and consider how they looked, felt and smelt and how they made him feel but also considered alternative positive thoughts.
4. The exposures inc alongside the boys fear hierarchy (large to small)
5. Self report measures were taken of the boys subjective distress ratings.

Question 9

Imagery exposure therapy (results)

Answer 9

1. Successful in reducing the boys distress rating. The image of 100s of buttons falling in him was rated 8 pre treatment and then 3 post treatment .
2. Follow up assessments sessions the boys reported feeling minimally distressed by buttons. No longer met the criteria for button phobia/ no longer affect his normal functioning/ could wear small clear plastic buttons on his school uniform daily)
3. 4.

Question 10

Conclusions

Answer 10

Positive reinforcement therapy was successful in changing observable behaviour.
Imagery exposure therapy was successful in reducing feelings of distress.
Researchers concluded 2 things

1.Emotions and feelings related to disgust are important when learning new responses to phobic stimuli.
2. Imagery exposure therapy has long term effects on reducing the distress associated with specific phobias as it tackles negative evaluations.