Saevdera and silverman Flashcards
name one stimulus given distress rating of 2/3 on digust/fear hierarchy
- small denim jean buttons
- large denim jean buttons
name one stimulus given distress rating of 7/8 on disgust/fear hierarchy
- small clear plastic buttons
- small colored plastic buttons
describe ppt used in study
- 9 year old
- american
- 1 male
- He had experienced a bowl of buttons falling on him (at school)
- He was presented by his mum to a Child Anxiety and Phobic Program
- He did meet the criteria (DSM–IV) for a phobia;
Explain why this study is from the learning approach.
- Part of this therapy was based on operant conditioning
- He was rewarded for being able to handle buttons on the Feeling Thermometer
describe incident that boy recalls started button phobia
- art project using buttons
- ran out of buttons
- asked to get more buttons from desk in front of class
- hand slipped and button fell on him
- felt embarrassed
outline the 6 month follow up/post treatment assesment results
- He reported minimal distress of buttons
- no longer met DSM- criteria for specific phobia buttons
- wore plastic buttons daily on school uniform
psych investiagted
- phobia investigated = irrational fear of object/situation
- Classical conditioning is learning through association
- A person comes to perceive previously neutral object/ event negatively
- negative evaluation prompts feeling of disgust rather than fear;
- The boy was being treated for his phobia of buttons
Describe how Saavedra and Silverman used the Child Anxiety and Phobia Program to diagnose the boy who had a phobia of buttons.
- Both mother and child were interviewed;
Using a standardised interview schedule for phobia - assessed against DSM-IV;
-had to produce a ‘positive’ result of a phobia of buttons.
DESCRIBE HOW BOY OVERCAME PHOBIA
- asked if he can remember any negative experiences w buttons
- identify a potential cause to help him to reverse the experience;
- asked to rate different buttons on a Fear/Disgust Hierarchy;
- object w lowest fear/disgust rating can be presented
- hes rewarded for being able to touch or use button;
- his feelings can be measured using a Feelings Thermometer.
Confedinatlity guidline
- any odentifiable feature of ppt should not be published
Describe the Disgust/Fear Hierarchy.
- rate (11) diff scenrios w/ buttons
- rated on Distress scale of 0–8
- 0 was the lowest distress/8 was the highest distress
- ratings used a Feelings Thermometer.
Identify one weakness of the Disgust/Fear Hierarchy.
- subjective
- given desirable ratings
- lied about the ratings
- 0–8 quite restrictive.
Describe the ‘behavioural exposures’ procedure as used in this study
-mother would provide positive reinforcement
Treatment sessions lasted 30m w/ boy
- additional 20m w/ boy+mum
-fear/digsut hierarchy constructed (for buttons);
- 8 point rating scale for buttons
- feelings thermometer = rate 11 diff scenarios w/ buttons/subjective
Outline the posttreatment follow-up assessment session.
- re-administered two measures;
-measured his anxiety towards buttons; - assessed against DSM (IV) criteria;
To see if he still had a diagnosed phobia (of buttons)
conclusions
Imagery exposure can have a positive long-term effect on reducing distress linked to phobias
Informed consent
- ppt should be given sufficient info abt study to
choose if they want to participate or not; - Both the child and mother gave full consent to take part in the procedures involved in the therapy (not broken).
privacy
- ppt can decline answering/not be forced to reveal anything they dont feel comfy sharing
The child did have to reveal which buttons he was scared of, and he may have felt embarrassment whilst doing this
