Treating phobias Flashcards
What is systematic desensitisation?
A behavioural therapy based on principles of classical conditioning.
What process is involved in systematic desensitisation? What is this process called?
Counterconditioning is involved in systematic desensitisation. It is when the person learns to form association between the phobia stimulus and relaxation techniques.
What are the three steps in counterconditioning?
Counterconditioning involves first making an anxiety hierarchy, then being taught relaxation techniques and lastly exposure. Where the patient is exposed to the phobia stimulus
Explain the first stage of counterconditioning (the anxiety hierarchy)
The person write a list of situations that trigger anxiety, ranking from least to most frightening
Explain the second stage of counterconditioning (relaxation)
Person is taught relaxation techniques (breathing techniques) to use when anxious)
Why is the person taught these relaxation techniques? What is the term used to describe this?
The person is taught these relaxation techniques so when they are afraid and trying to relax, the emotions do not block eachother and make it harder to overcome the phobia. This referred to as reciprocal inhibition
Explain the third stage of counterconditioning? (exposure)
The person is exposed to their phobia stimulus and taught to use the relaxation techniques
How is an anxiety hierarchy made, what is it?
Anxiety hierarchy is a list of situations based on ONE phobia ranked from least to most frightening.
What are the measures of appropriateness for a treatment?
- the severity of side effects
- the cost and time needed for the treatment
- how motivated the sufferer has to be for the treatment to be completed
What are the measures of effectiveness for a treatment?
- showing reduction of symptoms
- time period that symptoms reduce
- relapse rate of disorder
What is a strength of SD that shows effectiveness of treatment (Gilroy + spiders)
Gilroy et al 2003 followed 42 people with spider phobias and found that people who went through SD we’re less fearful of spiders. This showed effectiveness of treatment as symptoms successfully reduced.
What is a strength of SD that shows it’s an appropriate technique? (learning disabilities)
SD is a more appropriate technique to use with people who have learning difficulties. This is because other therapy techniques might have high levels of thinking or direct exposure to feared object, which may cause confusion and distress in people with learning disabilities.
What is a limitation of SD that shows the appropriateness of the treatment? (time/cost)
A limitation of systematic disensitisation is that it is time and cost ineffective making it a less appropriate treatment. It requires having the patient build an anxiety hierarchy and learn relaxation techniques, which are time consuming and financially taxing
What is flooding
Flooding is a treatment of direct, immediate exposure to the phobia stimulus
Between systematic disensitisation and flooding, what sessions are longer?
Flooding takes two to three hours, which is longer than systematic disensitisation
What principle does flooding work on?
The principle of extinction
What is meant by extinction in flooding? Give an example
Extinction is the extinguishing of learned responses when the conditioned stimulus (phobia) is encountered without the unconditioned stimulus.
Example: Little Albert would be presented a white rat without a loud noise
Why is the conditioned stimulus shown without the unconditioned stimulus?
The patient is able to see the phobic stimulus as harmless
What is a strength of flooding that shows it is an appropriate treatment? (money)
Flooding is cost effective, making it an appropiate treatment option. It requires less sessions than systematic desensitisation therefore allowing the NHS to spend less money
What is a limitation of flooding that shows it is an inappropriate treatment? (motivation)
Flooding is an inappropriate treatment as it requires motivation from th sufferer. It can cause high levels of anxiety and stress for clients, which can lead to attrition (dropouts).
