Treating Phobias

Question 1

Behaviourist Approach To Treating Phobias

Answer 1

If maladaptive responses can be learnt, then they can also be unlearnt
Both systematic desensitisation and flooding replace maladaptive response with an adaptive one
Based on the idea of reciprocal inhibition

Question 2

Reciprocal inhibition

Answer 2

A person cannot be anxious and relaxed at the same time

Question 3

Systematic desensitisation

Answer 3

Uses counter conditioning in order to replace a maladaptive response with another healthier response
Uses graded exposure

Question 4

Graded exposure

Answer 4

Both client and psychologist draw up a a hierarchy of fears, from least to most feared situation. Client then decides a treatment goal to work to
Client is taught different relaxation techniques such as controlling breathing
Over 6 to 12 sessions client is gradually put into contact with their fears. Starting from the least to most feared situation. At each stage client is encouraged to use relaxation techniques and can only move to the next stage if they are completely relax

Question 5

Flooding

Answer 5

Involves subjecting the client in vivo to their phobias at its worse. Assumes the bodies fear response has a time limit and so eventually the person will have to calm down
Based on the idea of reciprocal inhibition

Question 6

Evaluation of Systematic Desensitisation

Answer 6

T- Requires 6 to 12 sessions. Not a quick fix and is a gradual process
I- Appropriate for phobia and anxiety. Not suitable for people with poor imagination
M- Very expensive.Requires a qualified psychologist
E/S- Likely to cause a great deal of anxiety for the client
W- Has research support e.g. Lang et al used SD with a group of college students suffering from a snake phobia
S- Relapse can occur, once phono is improved it may be replaced with another phobi

Question 7

Evaluation of Flooding

Answer 7

T- Much quicker than SD, meaning patient get rid of their symptoms quicker
I- Appropriate for phobias and anxiety.May not be suitable for individuals with heart problems. High drop out rate meaning it’s stressful
M- Less expensive
E/S- Cause great deal of anxiety for the client. Can lead to trauma for some clients
W- Has research support e.g. Wolpe(1969) used flooding to treat a girl with a phobia of cars
R- Relapse can occur, more with flooding than SD