Behaviourists treatment of Phobias

• What are the two methods of treating phobias in the behavioural approach?

  Systematic desensitisation and flooding
• How does systematic desensitisation work?

  It replaces irrational fears with relaxation through exposure
• What is the difference between In Vivo and In Vitro exposure?

  In Vivo is real exposure; In Vitro is imagined
• Why does systematic desensitisation work?

  It associates relaxation with feared situations
• What is an anxiety hierarchy?

  A list of feared situations ranked by intensity
• How might a therapist help Bleron with his phobia of eating in public?

  Use systematic desensitisation with an anxiety hierarchy
• How does flooding differ from systematic desensitisation?

  Flooding involves immediate exposure without hierarchy
• Why does flooding work?

  It breaks the association between stimulus and fear
• What ethical considerations are there for flooding treatment?

  Must have informed consent and choice
• What is a strength of systematic desensitisation?

  Research evidence supports its effectiveness
• What did Gilroy et al. find about systematic desensitisation?

  It reduced fear in arachnophobia patients
• What is a limitation of flooding as a treatment?

  It can be extremely traumatic for patients
• What is symptom substitution?

  Symptoms reappear in different forms if untreated
• Why might flooding not be suitable for all phobias?

  Some phobias are caused by irrational thinking
• What are the three processes involved in systematic desensitisation?

  Relaxation, anxiety hierarchy, exposure
• What relaxation techniques are taught in systematic desensitisation?

  Breathing exercises, mental imagery, meditation
• How does exposure work in systematic desensitisation?

  Patients face feared stimuli while practicing relaxation
• What are the key terms related to systematic desensitisation?

  • Systematic desensitisation
  • Anxiety hierarchy
  • Flooding
  • Unethical
  • Imagination
  • Cost-effective
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of flooding and systematic desensitisation?

  Strengths:

  • Systematic desensitisation is supported by research
  • Flooding is time-efficient

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Flooding can be traumatic
  • Both may not address underlying causes
• How do Jack and Jill's views on treating Jemimah's fear of water differ?

  • Jack suggests gradual exposure and support
  • Jill proposes immediate exposure without preparation