Systematic Desensitisation Flashcards
How does systematic desensitisation help treat phobias?
Progressive step-by-step approach: functional analysis (triggers of phobia are discussed beforehand), fear hierarchy is created (least feared to most feared), relaxation techniques (e.g. breathing skills, muscle relaxation, mindfulness), associate fear responses with feelings of calm, gradual exposure to each level of hierarchy
How does Willis and Edwards support systematic desensitisation?
Compared systematic desensitisation and flooding to treat a mice phobia and found systematic desensitisation to be more effective so it is a successful therapy to effectively treat phobias
How does Marks conflict systematic desensitisation?
Concluded systematic desensitisation with relaxation is no more effective than graded exposure so proposes exposure therapy as a replacement of systematic desensitisation
How is systematic desensitisation useful to the patient?
Tailored to the patient in breaking down their phobia into a hierarchy so allows them to understand their phobia better
What is a weakness of systematic desensitisation regarding timing?
More time consuming than flooding as it goes in stages so takes several hourly sessions meaning it is less accessible and useful for those who have to go several times to overcome their phobia
What is a strength of systematic desensitisation regarding ethics?
Less distressing than flooding as it gradually increases the phobia to the patient whilst introducing relaxation techniques so there are less drop out rates as patients aren’t experiencing high levels of distress
What is a weakness of systematic desensitisation ethically?
Still causes a lot of distress to the patient as they have to confront their feared object so not the best ethical treatment for patients dealing with phobias
