A01

• What is counterconditioning?

  When a patient is taught, through classical conditioning, a new association that runs counter to the original association
• What are the two ways behavioural psychologists use to treat phobias?

  1. Systematic desensitisation

  2. Flooding
• What is systematic desensitisation (SD)?

  A form of behavioural therapy whereby a client is gradually exposed to the phobic stimulus using a hierarchy, under relaxed conditions until the anxiety reaction is extinguished
• State the three stages involved in systematic desensitisation

  1. Anxiety hierarchy

  2. Relaxation techniques

  3. Gradual exposure
• What are four examples of relaxation techniques?

  1. Breathing exercises

  2. Mental imagery

  3. Muscle relaxation

  4. Anti-anxiety drugs
• What is flooding?

  A form of behavioural therapy whereby a client is exposed to an extreme form of the phobic stimulus under relaxed conditions until the anxiety reaction is extinguished
• Briefly outline one difference between flooding and systematic desensitisation

  Exposure to the phobic stimulus is gradual with SD, whereas with flooding the exposure is immediate
• Explain why SD might be more ethical than flooding

  Exposure to the phobic stimulus is gradual when implementing SD and less traumatic for the patient in comparison to the immediate and prolonged exposure with flooding
• State an advantage of using flooding over SD

  Flooding is highly effective and a quicker method of treating a phobia