P: Behaviourist Approach To Treating Phobias

Question 1

Systematic desensitisation

Answer 1

1. Form anxiety hierarchy
   Least to most anxiety inducing
2. Relaxation
   Breathing exercises, drugs
3. Exposure
   Gradual
   Move up when can stay relaxed in presence of lower level on hierarchy

Question 2

Evaluation of systematic desensitisation
Strengths

Answer 2

Research showing it’s effective against specific phobias
Suitable for diverse range of patients
Widely accepted by patients so low refusal and attrition rates
Less trauma

Question 3

Evaluation of systematic desensitisation
Weaknesses

Answer 3

Symptom substitution-new phobia gained when previous disappears
Not appropriate for all phobia (phobias that have an u deleting evolutionary survival component like dark, heights, dangerous animals)

Question 4

Flooding

Answer 4

Directly exposes clients to feared object or situation
Shows that there’s is no basis for their fear
Stops phobic responses very quickly as patient learns that phobia is harmless (extinction in terms of classical conditioning)

Question 5

Stages of flooding

Answer 5

Patient is taught to relax muscles completely
Masters the feared situation in one long session

Question 6

Flooding evaluation
Strengths

Answer 6

Cost effective as fast
Can be relatively effective for those who stick with it

Question 7

Flooding evaluation
Weaknesses

Answer 7

Less effective for more complex phobias like social —> less effectiveness and less success

Traumatic for patients
May not see it through to the end
Can waste time and money when patients refuse to complete treatment