A01

• What is systematic desensitisation (SD)?

  A behavioural therapy to reduce phobic anxiety
• How does systematic desensitisation aim to cure phobic anxiety?

  By teaching relaxation in the presence of the phobic stimulus
• What is counterconditioning in the context of SD?

  Learning a new response to the phobic stimulus
• What are the three processes involved in systematic desensitisation?

  1. Anxiety hierarchy
  2. Relaxation
  3. Exposure
• What is an anxiety hierarchy?

  A list of anxiety-provoking situations ordered by fear
• How might a person with arachnophobia structure their anxiety hierarchy?

  From pictures of spiders to holding a tarantula
• What is the role of relaxation in systematic desensitisation?

  To prevent fear and promote calmness
• What is reciprocal inhibition?

  One emotion prevents another, like fear and relaxation
• What techniques might be used to achieve relaxation?

  Breathing exercises or mental imagery techniques
• How does exposure work in systematic desensitisation?

  Clients are exposed to phobic stimuli while relaxed
• When is treatment considered successful in systematic desensitisation?

  When clients can stay relaxed in high anxiety situations
• What is flooding in the context of phobia treatment?

  Immediate exposure to a frightening situation
• How does flooding differ from systematic desensitisation?

  Flooding involves immediate exposure without hierarchy
• How long do flooding sessions typically last?

  Two to three hours
• What is the effect of flooding on phobic responses?

  It stops phobic responses quickly
• What is extinction in classical conditioning?

  Conditioned stimulus no longer produces conditioned response
• Why might a client relax during flooding?

  They may become exhausted by their fear response
• What ethical consideration is important in flooding?

  Clients must give fully informed consent
• What choice do clients typically have regarding treatment?

  Between systematic desensitisation and flooding