The behavioural approach to treating phobias

• Identify the two treatments for phobias.

  Systematic desensitisation and flooding
• Outline systematic desensitisation as a treatment for phobias.

  1. Counterconditioning – Replaces fear with relaxation.
  2. Relaxation techniques – Patient learns deep breathing, etc.
  3. Anxiety hierarchy – Situations ranked from least to most fearful.
  4. Gradual exposure – Patient faces fears step by step while staying relaxed.
  5. Progression – Moves up the hierarchy once relaxed; can step back if distressed.
• Outline flooding as a treatment for phobias

  1. Immediate exposure – Patient faces their worst fear directly.
  2. Types of exposure – In vivo (real life) or in vitro (imagined/VR).
  3. Prevents avoidance – Stops negative reinforcement of fear.
  4. Fear extinction – Prolonged exposure reduces fear response.
  5. Counterconditioning – Fear is replaced with relaxation.
• How does research support the effectiveness of systematic desensitisation (SD)?

  SD has a 75% success rate, while in vivo flooding is equally effective, but in vitro flooding is less effective.
• Why is systematic desensitisation more effective than in vitro flooding?

  Clients may not fully believe virtual exposure is real, making it harder to apply to real-life situations.
• Why is systematic desensitisation less distressing than flooding?

  SD uses a gradual anxiety hierarchy, allowing clients to progress at their own pace, reducing dropouts.
• Why can flooding be more distressing than systematic desensitisation?

  Immediate exposure to the phobia can cause extreme distress, increasing dropout rates and reducing success.
• Why is flooding considered more cost-effective than systematic desensitisation?

  Same 75% success rate but requires fewer sessions, making it cheaper for the NHS and allowing more people to be treated.
• Why is systematic desensitisation less cost-effective than flooding?

  It requires more sessions due to gradual exposure, making it more expensive and time-consuming.