The behavioural approach to treating phobias

Question 1

describe systematic desensitisation

Answer 1

a behavioural therapy designed to gradually reduce phobic anxiety through the principle of classical conditioning
if a person can learn to relax in the presence of the phobic stimulus they will be cured
a new response to the phobic stimulus is learned, this is counterconditioning

Question 2

describe the anxiety hierarchy process (1) of systematic desensitisation

Answer 2

list of situations related to the phobic stimulus that provoke anxiety arranged in order from least to most frightening

Question 3

describe the relaxation process (2) of systematic desensitisation

Answer 3

the therapist teaches the client to relax as deeply as possible
relaxation is preventing the emotion of fear, this is called reciprocal inhibition
might involve breathing exercises or mental imagery techniques

Question 4

describe the exposure process (3) of systematic desensitisation

Answer 4

the client is exposed to the phobic stimulus while in a relaxed state, starting at the bottom of the anxiety hierarchy and moving up

Question 4

describe flooding

Answer 4

involves exposing people with a phobia to their phobic stimulus but without a gradual build-up
immediate exposure to a very frightening situation
sometimes only one long session is needed to cure a phobia

Question 5

describe how flooding works

Answer 5

without the option of avoidance behaviour, the client quickly learns that the phobic stimulus is harmless, this is called extinction
a CR is extinguished when the CS is encountered without the UCS, the result is that the CS no longer produces the CR (fear)

Question 6

describe ethical safeguarding issues with flooding

Answer 6

flooding is an unpleasant experience so it is important clients give fully informed consent and the therapist should ensure that they are fully prepared for the session

Question 7

describe the evidence of effectiveness for systematic desensitisation (STRENGTH)

Answer 7

gilroy et al (2003) followed up 42 people who had SD for arachnophobia
at both three and 33 months, the SD group were less fearful than a control group
therefore, SD is likely to be helpful for people with phobias

Question 8

how can SD be used to help people with learning disabilities with phobias (STRENGTH)

Answer 8

people with learning disabilities often struggle with cognitive therapies that require complex rational thought, and flooding can be too distressing
therefore, SD is the most appropriate form of treatment for those with learning difficulties and phobias

Question 9

how is flooding highly cost-effective (STRENGTH)

Answer 9

when providing therapies in health systems like the NHS, it is important to consider how much they cost
a therapy is cost-effective if it is clinically effective and not expensive
therefore, more people can be treated with flooding than other therapies

Question 10

how is flooding a highly unpleasant experience (LIMITATION)

Answer 10

confronting one’s phobic stimulus in an extreme form provokes tremendous anxiety
it is significantly more stressful than SD
raises ethical concerns
attrition rates are higher than SD
therefore, therapists may avoid using this treatment