Learning: Treatments Flashcards
What is systematic desensitisation?
A behavioural therapy designed to gradually reduce phobic anxiety through the principle of classical conditioning. This learning of a different response is called Counterconditioning
What is reciprocal inhibition?
When success of systematic desensitisation is enhanced because it is impossible to be afraid and relax at the same time so one emotion prevents the other.
What are the three processes involved in systematic desensitisation?
The anxiety hierarchy, relaxation, exposure
What is the anxiety hierarchy within systematic desensitisation?
Constructors by the client and the therapist a list of situations related to the phobic stimulus that provoke anxiety is arranged in order from least to most frightening. For example an arachnophobic Might identify seeing a picture of a small spider is low but holding a tarantula as the top of the hierarchy
Explain the relaxation process in systematic desensitisation?
This is when the therapist teaches the client to relax as deeply as possible. This can include breathing techniques mental imagery techniques. For example, a client might be talked to imagine themselves in relaxing situations.
Explain the exposure process of systematic desensitisation?
When the client is exposed To the phobic stimulus while in a relaxed state. This takes place across several sessions starting at the bottom of their anxiety hierarchy when the client can stay relax in the presence of the lower levels of the phobic stimulus they move up the hierarchy.
Evaluate the supporting evidence of systematic desensitisation?
Supporting evidence: LISA GILROY
Two groups with spider phobias after three months the group that experienced systematic desensitisation Were less fearful turn the control group.
Evaluate the opposing evidence of systematic desensitisation?
It’s unethical to expose someone to something distressing. It could backfire and make a patient more afraid however the Fear hierarchy does allow a participant to move in their own pace
Evaluate the difference theory of systematic desensitisation?
It doesn’t tackle the underlying problem behind The phobia. It deals with the symptoms not the cause because if it’s due to a patient’s past it will carry on causing difficulties even if the Fear is temporarily Eased.
Evaluate the application of systematic desensitisation?
Could be used to advanced treatments for phobias. For example a virtual reality helmet was created to display phobic situation when the pulse rate get to high the scene is frozen in frame and the therapist can use counterconditioning to replace the fear with relaxation techniques.
