Treating phobias

Question 1

What is systematic desensitisation?

Answer 1

A behavioural therapy based on principles of classical conditioning.

Question 2

What process is involved in systematic desensitisation? What is this process called?

Answer 2

Counterconditioning is involved in systematic desensitisation. It is when the person learns to form association between the phobia stimulus and relaxation techniques.

Question 3

What are the three steps in counterconditioning?

Answer 3

Counterconditioning involves first making an anxiety hierarchy, then being taught relaxation techniques and lastly exposure. Where the patient is exposed to the phobia stimulus

Question 4

Explain the first stage of counterconditioning (the anxiety hierarchy)

Answer 4

The person write a list of situations that trigger anxiety, ranking from least to most frightening

Question 5

Explain the second stage of counterconditioning (relaxation)

Answer 5

Person is taught relaxation techniques (breathing techniques) to use when anxious)

Question 6

Why is the person taught these relaxation techniques? What is the term used to describe this?

Answer 6

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

Question 7

Explain the third stage of counterconditioning? (exposure)

Answer 7

The person is exposed to their phobia stimulus and taught to use the relaxation techniques

Question 8

How is an anxiety hierarchy made, what is it?

Answer 8

Anxiety hierarchy is a list of situations based on ONE phobia ranked from least to most frightening.

Question 9

What are the measures of appropriateness for a treatment?

Answer 9

1. the severity of side effects
2. the cost and time needed for the treatment
3. how motivated the sufferer has to be for the treatment to be completed

Question 10

What are the measures of effectiveness for a treatment?

Answer 10

1. showing reduction of symptoms
2. time period that symptoms reduce
3. relapse rate of disorder

Question 11

What is a strength of SD that shows effectiveness of treatment (Gilroy + spiders)

Answer 11

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.

Question 12

What is a strength of SD that shows it’s an appropriate technique? (learning disabilities)

Answer 12

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.

Question 13

What is a limitation of SD that shows the appropriateness of the treatment? (time/cost)

Answer 13

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

Question 14

What is flooding

Answer 14

Flooding is a treatment of direct, immediate exposure to the phobia stimulus

Question 15

Between systematic disensitisation and flooding, what sessions are longer?

Answer 15

Flooding takes two to three hours, which is longer than systematic disensitisation

Question 16

What principle does flooding work on?

Answer 16

The principle of extinction

Question 17

What is meant by extinction in flooding? Give an example

Answer 17

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

Question 18

Why is the conditioned stimulus shown without the unconditioned stimulus?

Answer 18

The patient is able to see the phobic stimulus as harmless

Question 19

What is a strength of flooding that shows it is an appropriate treatment? (money)

Answer 19

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

Question 20

What is a limitation of flooding that shows it is an inappropriate treatment? (motivation)

Answer 20

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).