Treating phobias

Question 1

What does classical conditioning suggest about how we gain + maintain phobias?

Answer 1

We learn to associate a neutral stimulus with the response of fear - the phobic object becomes a conditioned stimulus

Conditioned response may be fear/avoidance

Question 2

What study supports classical conditioning in phobias?

Answer 2

Watson + Rayner (1920) - 50% of ppl treated for driving phobia by Barlow + Durand (1995) recalled traumatic incident that triggered phobia

Question 3

What research opposes classical conditioning in phobias?

Answer 3

DiNardo et al (1988) - 50% of dog phobics had unpleasant encounter, but other half had same experiences + didnt develop a phobia

Question 4

Why might some people share same experiences + not develop a phobia?

Answer 4

Due to patient’s perspective + interpretation - Cognitive rather than behavioural factors are important

Question 5

What is another issue for classical conditioning explaining phobias?

Answer 5

According to principles of classical conditioning, association is extinguished is not paired for long time - phobia shouldn’t carry on over time

Question 6

What is exposure? And why does it occur?

Answer 6

Facing/confronting fears repeatedly until fear subsides

Occurs due to habituation

Question 7

What is habituation?

Answer 7

Refers to reduction of anxiety due to time passing - Means fear will eventually decrease if we do nothing but let time pass

Question 8

What is a type of phobia treatment?

Answer 8

Exposure therapy

Question 9

What is exposure therapy?

Answer 9

Individuals encouraged to repeatedly face the phobic stimulus until habituation occurs. Then fearful behaviour eventually extinguished (based on classical conditioning)

Then they no longer experience distress to same degree

Question 10

What types of exposure can exposure therapy be conducted in?

Answer 10

In vivo = Real world exposure

In vitro = Imagination - most effective when all 5 senses included in guided therapeutic exercises

Question 11

What is response prevention?

Answer 11

Refraining from engaging in avoidance/escape behaviours when faced with feared situation

Necessary so maladaptive behaviours not reinforced

Question 12

What is a form of exposure therapy?

Answer 12

Systematic desensitisation

Question 13

What is systematic desensitisation?

Answer 13

A treatment to remove fear response of phobia + substitutes relaxation response to conditioned stimulus gradually using counter conditioning

Avoids overwhelming anxious ppl

Question 14

How long does systematic desensitisation take?

Answer 14

Takes place over multiple sessions - depending on strength of phobia + clients ability to relax

Question 15

What types of exposure can systematic desensitisation be done in?

Answer 15

In vivo (exposure to real object), and in vitro (imaginary exposure to object)

Question 16

What is the principle that systematic desensitisation is based on?

Answer 16

Principle of incompatible responses - idea that u cant be anxious + relaxed at same time (reciprocal inhibition)

Question 17

What are the 4 stages of systematic desensitisation?

Answer 17

1. Functional analysis
2. Construction of anxiety hierarchy
3. Training in relaxation techniques
4. Gradual exposure

Question 18

What happens in functional analysis?

Answer 18

Therapist learns about client’s phobia (e.g. triggers, past trauma, etc)

Question 19

What happens in construction of anxiety hierarchy?

Answer 19

Therapist works with client’s to construct ladder of fear (involving conditioned stimulus), ranking them from least to most fearful

Question 20

What happens in training in relaxation techniques?

Answer 20

Client given training in relaxation techniques like control over breathing, meditation, muscle relaxation

Wolpe taught patients these as u cant be relaxed + anxious at same time

Question 21

Who created systematic desensitisation?

Answer 21

Wolpe during 1950s

Question 22

What is diaphragmatic breathing?

Answer 22

Regulating breathing by breathing slowly

Question 23

What is an example of a relaxation technique?

Answer 23

Visualisation - focusing on a relaxed scene, picture in mind

Question 24

What happens in gradual exposure?

Answer 24

Client exposed to hierarchy of fear (from least to most) whilst using relaxation techniques

Client moved up ladder when current experience doesn’t create anxiety

Question 25

What can systematic desensitisation be paired with?

Answer 25

Modelling - Application suggested by social learning theorists

Patient exposed ppl with phobic object responding with no fear, encourages patient to do same