Contemporary Study : Capafons

• What was the aim of Capafons' study?

  To investigate systematic desensitisation for flying phobias
• What was the sample used in Capafons' study?

  • 20 males with a mean age of 29.65
  • 20 control participants with a mean age of 34.05
  • Volunteers from a media campaign for free treatment
• What is a weakness of Capafons' sample regarding generalizability?

  It was androcentric, only including males
• Why does the small sample size of 20 participants affect validity?

  It may skew results due to anomalies
• What was the procedure followed in Capafons' study?

  • Participants watched a flight simulation
  • Physiological responses measured before the video
  • 2x1hr sessions for 8 weeks with relaxation training
  • Data collected through interviews and self-reports
• What was the distance from the screen during the simulation?

  1.8 meters
• What is a strength of the study's procedures?

  Standardized procedures allow for replication
• What is a weakness regarding the task validity of the simulation?

  It lacks mundane realism for real flights
• What were the results of Capafons' study regarding fear levels?

  • 12.3 decrease in fear during flights after treatment
  • 9.8 increase in fear for control group
  • 18/20 participants showed decreased fear
• What physiological responses were measured during the flights?

  Heart rate, palm temperature, muscular temperature
• What was the change in catastrophic thoughts for the experimental group?

  Decreased by 5.3 after treatment
• What are the strengths of Capafons' study findings?

  • High validity due to objective measures
  • Applications for treating phobias effectively
  • Improves quality of life for individuals
• How do the findings of Capafons' study apply to real-life situations?

  They can improve treatment for phobias