Behavioural Approach To Treating Phobias

Question 1

What is Systematic Desensitisation? (SD)

Answer 1

Therapy designed to gradually reduce phobic anxiety through counter conditioning
—> Stimulus paired with calming effect
—> Reciprocal inhibition occurs as fear
and calm can’t happen at same time

Question 2

What are the two main processes in SD

Answer 2

Relaxation
—> Techniques taught to service user
• breathing slow
• visualising peaceful scene
• muscle relaxation

Hierarchy
—> Therapist and user fearful situations with stimulus and rank them

Question 3

What are the steps in SD?

Answer 3

1) Relaxation techniques taught
2) Hierarchy established
3) Works way through hierarchy
4) once one is mastered, move to next
5) eventually all seated situations mastered

Question 4

What is the effectiveness of SD?

Answer 4

Gilroy found that at both 3 & 33 months after treatment a group treated with SD were less afraid of spiders than those treated with relaxation
—> Effective long term treatment

Question 5

What is the appropriateness of SD?

Answer 5

While SD is effective at treating certain phobias, CBT is more useful for complex phobias e.g. social phobias
—> CBT tries to change persons
irrational thoughts rather than
respond to phobic stimulus

• SD may not be appropriate for all tues of phobias

Question 6

What are the ethical benefits with SD?

Answer 6

SD can lead do psychological distress
—> However less so then flooding as
its gradual

SD may be seen as a more ethical treatment for vulnerable people
—> Children & Elderly

Question 7

What is Flooding?

Answer 7

• Immediate and Direct exposure to phobic stimulus
—> Person is unable to avoid phobia
and through continued exposure
anxiety levels decrease

• Sessions last 2-3 hours

Question 8

What is the effectiveness of Flooding?

Answer 8

Kaplan & Toplin found 65% of people with. Phobia showed no symptoms 4 years later after a single session
—> Effective long term
—> Not suitable for everyone

Question 9

What is the appropriateness of flooding?

Answer 9

Effective for specific phobias but less so for complex ones (social phobias)
—> Social phobias have cognitive
element (irrational thoughts)

CBT may be more effective

Question 10

What are the ethical issues with flooding?

Answer 10

• Although there is consent, it can be highly traumatic
—> high drop out rate and maybe
enhance fear rather than reduce

• May not be seen as suitable for children or elderly