treatments for phobias: systematic desensitisation Flashcards
which theory is SD based on?
classical conditioning
how is the theory used to treat phobias?
associating the feared stimulus with something good/relaxing
why does relaxation to reduce phobias work?
fear and relaxation are opposing emotions which cannot be felt simultaneously - reciprocal inhibition
describe stage 1 of SD
- functional analysis
- triggers are established through learning specific things about the phobia
describe stage 2 of SD
- anxiety hierarchy construction
- determines most to least frightening situations
describe stage 3 of SD
training in relaxation techniques such as meditation
describe stage 4 of SD
- gradual exposure
- works through hierarchy, pairing relaxation with their experience
what are the average amount of sessions needed?
4-6
define ‘in vitro’ exposure
patient imagines exposure to phobic stimulus
describe ‘in vivo’ exposure
directly facing a feared object, situation or activity in real life
how does social learning explain SD?
a role model can demonstrate being relaxed in the presence of the phobic stimulus
what is covert modelling?
when the individual imagines someone else encountering the phobic stimulus
explain how a therapist could use systematic desensitisation to reduce Greg’s fear of bread (4 marks)
firstly, the therapist could use functional analysis by asking Greg questions to identify any of his triggers relating to fearing bread. the next stage would be constructing an anxiety hierarchy. Greg would identify his fear on this scale. for example, at the bottom would be a photo of bread and Greg might be most anxious about eating a piece of bread. the therapist would teach Greg relaxation strategies such as meditation that he can use when faced with a trigger. stage 4 would involve gradual exposure, working up the hierarchy until Greg is able to associate relaxation with the experiences with bread.
