Saavedra & Silverman (2002) Flashcards
What was the aim of Saavedra & Silverman’s (2002) study?
To investigate the effectiveness of exposure therapy and cognitive-behavioral interventions in treating a young boy’s button phobia (koumpounophobia).
What type of phobia did the child in Saavedra & Silverman’s study have?
A phobia of buttons, specifically an intense fear of small, plastic buttons.
What therapy method was primarily used in Saavedra & Silverman’s (2002) study?
Exposure therapy combined with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), focusing on systematic desensitization.
What age was the participant in Saavedra & Silverman’s (2002) case study?
The participant was a 9-year-old Hispanic American boy.
How did the researchers measure the boy’s fear of buttons in the study?
They used a “Feelings Thermometer,” where the boy rated his distress on a scale of 0 to 8 for different button-related stimuli.
What kind of button did the boy in Saavedra & Silverman’s study fear the most?
The boy feared small, clear plastic buttons the most, rating them with the highest level of distress (8 on the scale).
What was “in vivo” exposure used in the study?
“In vivo” exposure refers to gradually exposing the child to buttons in real life to reduce his fear response over time.
What cognitive intervention was employed alongside exposure therapy in Saavedra & Silverman’s study?
The boy was encouraged to challenge his negative thoughts and irrational beliefs about buttons by discussing them and reframing them with his therapist.
What were the results of the treatment in Saavedra & Silverman’s study?
By the end of treatment, the boy’s distress toward buttons significantly decreased, and he could handle buttons without severe anxiety.
What is evaluative learning, and how was it relevant in this study?
Evaluative learning is when an individual forms negative emotional associations with a stimulus (buttons, in this case), which then elicits fear or disgust. The boy’s fear of buttons was believed to stem from such evaluative learning.
How long did the treatment in Saavedra & Silverman’s study last?
The treatment took place over several sessions spanning approximately 10 weeks.
What were the ethical considerations in Saavedra & Silverman’s study?
The researchers ensured informed consent was obtained from the boy’s parents, and they monitored the boy’s well-being throughout the process, minimizing distress during treatment.
What was a major conclusion from Saavedra & Silverman’s (2002) study?
Exposure therapy combined with cognitive restructuring can effectively reduce phobic responses even in cases of extreme or unusual phobias, such as button phobia.
What is one limitation of Saavedra & Silverman’s study?
As a case study involving a single participant, the results may not be generalizable to other individuals with phobias.
