behavioural approach - treating phobias

Question 1

what is SD and what does it aim to do?

Answer 1

behavioural therapy based off of classical conditioning. Aims to replace fear response with relaxation, leading to the extinction of the phobia (counter conditioning)

Question 2

what are the steps of SD?

Answer 2

• client taught deep muscle relaxation technique (reciprocal inhibition)
• creating a fear hierarchy with the least fear provoking at the bottom and the extreme at the top
• patient works up the hierarchy whilst using relaxation techniques, when they feel comfortable they move up a stage

Question 3

what is the difference between in vitro and in vivo?

Answer 3

In vitro – the client imagines exposure to the phobic stimulus

In vivo – the client is actually exposed to the phobic stimulus

Question 4

weakness of SD : patients can’t imagine

Answer 4

some people can’t create a vivid image, so it’s not always effective

Question 5

weakness of SD : slow process

Answer 5

it requires a lot of effort on the client’s side and they may not be ready to put it in. Also the client may be blamed if it’s not successful

Question 6

what is flooding?

Answer 6

behavioural therapy that exposes an individual to the extreme version of their phobia under relaxed conditions until anxiety starts decreasing