4) BA to treating phobias

Question 1

What are the two methods of treating phobias

Answer 1

• Systematic desensitisation
• Flooding

Question 2

What does SD involve

Answer 2

Gradually reduces anxiety through counter conditioning
- Conditioned stimulus is paired with relaxation technique

Question 3

Why does systematic desensitisation work

Answer 3

Reciprocal inhibition
- Cannot be afraid and relaxed at the same time

Question 4

How do therapist come about working on systematic desensitisation with their patient

Answer 4

• Form an anxiety hierarch
• practise a relaxation technique at each level of the hierarchy

Question 5

What is flooding

Answer 5

Immediate exposure to the phobia until fight or flight stops and the client can be calm

Question 6

How does flooding work

Answer 6

Extinction - learn the phobic object is harmless

Question 7

EV of SD - Evidence of effectiveness

Answer 7

Gilroy followed 42 people (arachnophobia) found the group with SD was significantly less fearful than a control group
- helpful for people with phobias

Question 8

EV of SD - usefulness for people with learning disabilities

Answer 8

• Cognitive therapies will require a lot of engagement but many people with learning disabilities are unable to do so
• wheres SD does not require such deep engagement
• more appropriate for some

Question 9

EV of flooding - is cost-effective

Answer 9

• Flooding can work even from just one session
• even with longer sessions they are still more cos-effective in the long run
• more people can be treated by flooding

Question 10

EV of flooding - is traumatic

Answer 10

• Schumacher et al found that both participants and therapists find flooding more stressful than SD
• ethical concerns on it causing stress
• higher attrition rates compared to SD, people and therapists may opt to avoid this