The behavioural approach to treating phobias Flashcards
Psychopathology
What is systematic desensitisation?
It treats phobias through principles of classical conditioning, by changing the negative association to the feared object to a positive association. This occurs through the patient learning to relax when faced with their phobic stimulus. a.k.a counter conditioning
What are the three stages to therapy?
- learn relaxation techniques
- create an anxiety hierarchy
- gradual exposure
What is learning relaxation techniques?
the principle of reciprocal inhibition states that it is impossible to feel two competing emotions at the same time- it would therefore be impossible for phobics to feel scared/anxious and calm at the same time- the learning of relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises gives the patients the tools needed to replace their feeling of fear with one of calm during the therapy
What is creating an anxiety hierarchy?
The therapist and patient will create an anxiety hierarchy which lists events in order of how fearful they are
What is gradual exposure?
Work through the hierarchy, starting with the least feared once completely relaxed. Then continue to use relaxation techniques and only move up when completely calm in their current stage. When they can remain calm in stages higher up on the hierarchy then treatment is deemed a success. This can be done in vivo (real life exposure through the hierarchy) or in vitro (imagining the hierarchy)
What is a strength of systematic desensitisation?
research to support- Gilroy et al (2002)- used 42 patients with a fear of spiders- each treated using three 45 minute sessions- compared to a control group who were only taught relaxation techniques- the systematic desensitisation were less fearful than the control group
What is a limitation of systematic desensitisation?
It works less well for treating phobias that are thought to be evolutionary- difficult to counter-condition because we are essentially trying to change our biology using behaviourist principles- doesn’t work well for all types of phobias
What is flooding?
Immediate exposure to the phobic stimuli- prevents avoidance- realises it’s harmless- have to endure it until they’re completely calm- known as extinction- conditioned stimulus met with unconditioned stimulus- quickly learns that the phobic stimuli no longer causes a conditioned response of fear
What is a strength of flooding?
Research to support- Nesbitt (1973)- a person with a 7 year phobia of escalators- required to ride up and down them repeatedly- initially accompanied by a therapist- 27 mins could be alone, 29 mins felt no anxiety- 6 month follow up and the phobia had not returned- was successful and a long term solution
What is a limitation of flooding?
can be extremely traumatic and unpleasant- confronted with worst case scenario instantly- may not recognise how anxiety provoking it is when signing up- Wolpe (1969)- client had been hospitalised because of how anxious she was- high drop-out rates- less appropriate for treating phobias
