Saavedra And SIlverman (procedure)

Question 1

Describe the procedure in steps simply

Answer 1

1. Interview
2. Feelings thermometer
3. Positive reinforcement therapy (in vivo exposure)
4. Imagery exposure therapy (in

Question 2

1. What did the interview with the boy and his mum reveal?

Answer 2

• The activating event

Question 3

Describe the activating event

Answer 3

• During an art class involving buttons when the boy was 5
• He ran out of buttons for his project and went to the front of the class to get more
• His hands slipped as he reached for the buttons.
• They fell in him in front or his class and teacher

Question 4

What was the impact of the activating event?

Answer 4

• He found the event distressing
• His fear and avoidance behaviour had become extreme and increased
• The phobia interfered with his everyday life significantly.
• He could not dress himself and became preoccupied with avoiding buttons.

Question 5

How was the feelings thermometer made?

Answer 5

• Hierachy of feared stimuli based on a 9 point scale
• Each rated on a distress scale from 0 (lowest) to 8 highest.
• Made through a discussion with ppts. Asked to rate 22 different scenarious involving buttons)

Question 6

What items were rated 8 by the boy?

Answer 6

• Small plastic buttons (coloured)
• Small plastic buttons (clear)

Question 7

Lowest ratings

What was rated 2 by the boy?

Answer 7

• Large denim jean buttons

Question 8

2. Describe the postive reinforcement therapy (contingency managment)

Answer 8

• Contigency managment was used which is a form of postive reinforcement as the boy was REWARDED for showing less fear and for handling the buttons.
• The mother adminstered the postive reinforement only after he completed the gradual exposure to the buttons.
• Researchers observed how he approached the buttons (increased)
• Researchers measured his subjective distress ratings on the feelings thermometer
• -Session length: 30 (boy) 20 (mum/boy)

Question 9

Describe the interview that formed the basis of the digust imagery exercises

Answer 9

• The boy revealed he found buttons touching his body disgusting
• Buttons smelled unpleasant

Question 10

3. Describe the imagery exposure therapy (in vivo exposure)

Answer 10

• Interview- formed the basis of the digust imagery exercises
• This therpay was based on classical conditioning using visualisation
• Some disgust imagery exercises included the visualisation of 100s of buttons falling on him. Considering how they looked, felt, smelt and talk about how they made him feel.These self-control strategies also involved the boy considering alternative positive thoughts.
• The exposures progressed from larger to smaller images in line with the fear heirarchy.
• Researchers measured his subjective distress ratings on the feelings thermometer

Question 11

What ideas was the imagery exposure therpay based on?

Answer 11

• Based on classical conditioning
• Using visualisation techniques
• Rather than directly being exposed to the buttons.

Question 12

What is contigency management?

Answer 12

• A form of postive reinforcement which involves rewarding the person for evidence of positive behavioural change.

Question 13

What is imagery exposure therapy?

Answer 13

• Therapy in which the person is aksed to vividily imagine the feared stimulus

Question 14

What are self control strategies?

Answer 14

• A form of CBT which involves self talk where the individual is taught to acknowledge troubling thoughts and consider alternative postive thoughts