treating phobias

Question 1

systematic desensitisation

Answer 1

• aim = get rid of undesirable behaviour by replacing w desirable one

new response to phobic stim learnt = counter conditioning

Question 2

counter conditioning

Answer 2

replacing fear with relaxation
- when cond stim is presented, aims to pair with relaxation instead of fear

Question 3

reciprocal initiation

Answer 3

counter conditioning is based on it

means person can’t be relaxed/anxois at the same time
- relaxation blocks anxiety = practicing relaxation while facing fear = reduces phobia

Question 4

systematic desensitisation steps

Answer 4

1. anxiety hierarchy - list of fear inducing situations , from least to most fearful
2. relaxation techniques - breathing excerises wtv
3. gradual exposure - exposed to fear stim step by step, while practicing relaxation

Question 5

flooding

Answer 5

• exposes person to fear object in intense/immediate manner, rather than gradually ( which is sd)
• forced to confront fear without option to escape

Question 6

how flooding works , steps.

Answer 6

1. exposed to extreme form of fear
2. can’t escape, prevents negative reinforcement ( avoidant behaviour)
3. bodies fear response has a biological limit , so overtime the fear goes and exhaustion sets in
4. patient realises that fear = irrational, and nothing bad happens

Question 7

sd strength. research support

Answer 7

p- research support

e- Gilroy et al , 42 arachnophobia patients after 3 sd sessions , measured fear levels through questionnaire and response to spiders, control group had relaxation techniques without exposure

e- at 3 and 33 months post treatment , sd group = less fearful than control

l- effective , long lasting results

Question 8

sd , limitation , root cause

Answer 8

p- only treats symptoms of phobia , not root cause
e- og phobia might come back cos sd doesn’t deal with underlying cause
e- so it can reduce symptoms in short term = doesn’t offer long term solution
l- limited usefulness

Question 9

flooding strength , price

Answer 9

p- cheaper than other treatments
e- although flooding sessions are longer = fewer sessions are needed = lower cost
e- cost effective / saves time
l- postiive economic application

Question 10

flooding limitation , traumatic

Answer 10

p - traumatic , even if gave consent
e- schumacher et al , found both ppts and therapist said flooding was more traumatic than sd
e- = causes high lvls of distress= ethical concerns
l- lack ethical validity