The Behaviourist Approach to Treating Phobias

• Main assumptions of the behaviourist approach to treating phobias?

  If phobias are learned they can be cured using the process of counterconditioning.
• What is counter-conditioning?

  A new response to the phobic stimulus is learned (phobic stimulus is paired with relaxation instead of anxiety). Counterconditioning is this learning of a different response.
• How is systematic desensitisation used to treat phobias?

  It is a behavioural therapy designed to gradually reduce phobic anxiety through the principle of classical conditioning. If the sufferer can learn to relax in the presence of the phobic stimulus they will be cured.
• How many processes are there in SD?

  3
• What is the first process in SD?

  The anxiety hierarchy that is put together by the patient and therapist - this is a list of situations related to the phobic stimulus that provoke anxiety arranged in order from least to most frightening
• What is the second process in SD?

  Relaxation - the therapist teaches the patient to relax as deeply as possible. Involves breathing exercises, meditation, or the patient learning mental imagery techniques. Alternatively, relaxation can be achieved by using drugs such as Valium.
• How is flooding used to treat phobias?

  Involves exposing phobic patients to their phobic stimulus but without a gradual build-up in anxiety hierarchy. Instead flooding involves immediate exposure to a very frightening situation.