The behavioural approach to treating phobias - Systematic Desensitisation

Question 1

What is systematic desensitisation?

Answer 1

A behavioural therapy
Designed to gradually reduce anxiety of phobic stimulus
through the principle of classical conditioning.
Essentially a new response to the phobic stimulus is learnt - counterconditioning.

Question 2

What are the three processes involved in SD?

Answer 2

Anxiety heirachy
relaxtion
Exposure

Question 3

Explain anxiety hierachy

Answer 3

List of situations related to the phobic stimulus that provokes anxiety
from least frightening to most frightening

Question 4

Explain relaxation

Answer 4

The therapist teaches the client to relax as deeply as possible
e.g. teach meditation techniques

Question 5

Explain exposure

Answer 5

When the client is exposed to the pobic stimulus in a relaxed state.

Question 6

What are the evaluations of SD?

Answer 6

Strong evidence supporting its effectiveness
Used to treat people with learning disabilities.

Question 7

Evaluation: Used to treat people with learning disabilities.

Answer 7

Used to treat people with learning disabilities.
SD is preferred for treating phobias in individuals with learning disabilities,
Who may not benefit from cognitive therapies due to cognitive limitations and emotional reactions.
SD offers a more suitable treatment option as: complex cognitive therapies may not be appropiate, flooding may cause confusion and distress.
Therefore its the most appropiate treatment for patients with learning difficulites.

Question 8

Evaluation: Strong evidence supporting its effectiveness

Answer 8

Strong evidence supporting its effectiveness
Study - Gilroy
examined 42 patients phobias of spiders
Each treated with three 45min SD sessions.
Examined 3months and 33 months later.
SD treatment was more effective in reducing fear for spider phobias over control group.
SD is an effective treatment for phobias in the long term.