Techniques for modifying behaviour

Question 1

systematic desensitisation

Answer 1

developed by Wolpe - designed to treat phobia’s

based on classical conditioning
pairs phobia producing stimulus with relaxation techniques

Question 2

what is the patient taught

Answer 2

relaxation techniques ie mediating breathing exercises

the patient creates a fear hierarchy
list of stimuli relating to the phobia from one causing the least anxiety to the most patients then go through the hierarchy while practising relaxation techniques.

patients stay at the stages in the hierarchy until they feel no anxiety

typically 4-6 sessions

more severe 10

exposure can be vitro imagined or viva actual

Question 3

strengths and limitations of systematic

Answer 3

is supported by empirical evidence

limitations
in Vitro exposure may not be effective
and vivo exposure is not always practical

treats symptoms of phobias not the underlying cause and does not appear to be effective for social phobias

Question 4

token economies

Answer 4

based on operant conditioning

desired behaviours are reinforced by tokens secondary reinforcers which can then be traded for another reward primary reinforcers

used in schools prisons and psychiatric

secondary reinforcers more attractive because they can be traded in for primary different reinforcers

some primary reinforcers may become ineffective if used continously saturation

main disadvantage is desired behaviour may become extinct if the token economy is removed

Question 5

cognitive behavioural therapy

Answer 5

believes that people are a result of social learning

focuses on current feelings, thoughts and behaviours

providing parents with strategies to replace negative feelings , thoughts and behaviors with positive ones (cognitive reconstructing

8-12 sessions
patient must practice new skills and strategies