Systematic desensitization

• What is systematic desensitisation?

  > Type of behavioural therapy based on classical conditioning

  > Aims to remove the fear response of a phobia and replace it with a relaxation response to the conditional stimulus gradually

  > Counter-conditioning

  > A functional analysis, to identify the triggers of the phobia, takes place before any treatment begins
• What is step 1 of systematic desensitisation?

  > Patient is taught relaxation techniques

  > Reciprocal inhibition (fear response is prevented as it is not compatible with relaxation)

  > If someone is relaxed, they cannot be fearful
• What is step 2 of systematic desensitisation?

  > patient creates a fear hierarchy

  > Starting with stimuli that creates the least fear building up in stages to the most fearful stimuli

  > Can be done in vitro (imagination) or in vivo (real)
• What is step 3 of systematic desensitisation?

  > Works their way up fear hierarchy

  > Practise relaxation techniques each stage

  > When they feel comfortable they move onto next stage
• How does Capafons et al act as supporting evidence?


  > Used SD to treat phobias of flying

  > After 12 weeks, there were Lower levels of the phobia

  > Effective treatment even after a relatively short period of time
• Why is it only effective with simple phobias?

  > Less effective when treating complex phobias such as social phobias
• How does Rothbaum et al act as supporting evidence?


  > Virtual reality helmet to display a phobic object

  > Graded exposure

  > More ethical
• Why are virtual reality helmets not always an option?

  > Struggle with in vitro exposure
• How is SD used in society?

  Evidence based treatment in NHS
• Is SD palliative or curative?

  > Palliative

  > Only addresses symptoms