Systematic Desensitisation

• What is a phobia?

  An exaggerated fear of an object or situation
• According to behaviourism, how is a phobia developed?

  It is a learned response to a stimulus
• How do behaviourist assumptions apply to systematic desensitization (SD)?

  • All behaviour is learned through conditioning
  • Phobias are learned via classical conditioning
  • Maintained through operant conditioning
• How is fear maintained in phobias according to operant conditioning?

  By avoiding the fear stimulus, leading to relief
• What is the goal of systematic desensitization (SD)?

  • To extinguish undesirable behaviour
  • To replace it with a more desirable behaviour
• Why can't we feel fear and relaxation at the same time?

  Because of the principle of reciprocal inhibition
• What is counter-conditioning in the context of phobias?

  Unlearning a phobia by associating it with relaxation
• What is the first step in systematic desensitization?

  Teach the patient a relaxation technique

  
• What is involved in constructing a desensitization hierarchy?

  • Patient describes situations causing phobic response
  • Ranks situations from least to most anxiety-provoking

  
• In a fear hierarchy for spiders, what might be the least feared situation?

  Imagining a spider in the corner
• What happens in step 3 of systematic desensitization?

  The patient gradually faces feared situations

  
• What is the principle of reciprocal inhibition in SD?

  We cannot feel two competing emotions simultaneously
• What are the two types of systematic desensitization (SD)?

  • In-vivo SD: facing real fear objects
  • In-vitro SD: imagining fear situations

  
• Which type of SD is generally more successful?

  In-vivo SD
• What did Capafon’s et al (1998) study show about SD?

  Participants showed less fear in a flight simulator
• What did Paul (1966) find about clients who underwent SD?

  They showed greater improvements than other treatments
• What is a weakness of systematic desensitization (SD)?

  • May not be effective for all phobias
  • Particularly those not acquired through learning
• Why might SD not be effective for a fear of public speaking?

  It may stem from poor social skills
• What does Seligman's theory suggest about phobias?

  • We are genetically predisposed to fear certain stimuli
  • Common phobias relate to ancestral dangers
• What is a limitation of SD according to the biological approach?

  Many phobias may be innate, not learned
• How does the psychodynamic approach view phobias?

  • Symptoms of unconscious thoughts and memories
  • SD only treats symptoms, not underlying causes
• What is symptom substitution in the context of SD?

  New symptoms may develop if underlying issues remain
• What is an ethical strength of systematic desensitization (SD)?

  • Conducted slowly at the client's pace
  • Reduces risk of anxiety and harm
• How does SD ensure valid consent?

  • Clients are in touch with reality
  • Can withdraw at any point
• What is a potential concern regarding stress in SD?

  Clients may still experience mild anxiety
• Why is SD considered ethical compared to other therapies?

  • Patients have control over their treatment
  • Focuses on mental well-being