Evaluation

• P - Strength , Supporting Evidence

  McGrath - 75% of patients with phobias were successfully treated using systematic desensitisation when using in vivo ( VR ) techniques

  Strength because it shows systematic desensitisation to be very effective - adds validity

  D - However , still significant chance it may not work with statistically 1 in 4 people not being effectively treated which may deter people from using this type of treatment
• P - Strength , Supporting Evidence

  Gilroy - examined 42 patients with arachnophobia

  Each patient treated using three 45 minute systematic desensitisation sessions - 3 and 33 months later , systematic desensitisation group were less fearful than a control group ( who were only taught relaxation techniques )

  Shows systematic desensitisation to be worth the time over just learning relaxation techniques - higher validity

  D - However , there may be issues with generalising this study as it was only done on arachnophobes and the severity of their phobias may have played a crucial role in these findings
• P - Limitation , not effective in treating all phobias

  Patients with phobias not developed through classical conditioning and personal experience aren't effectively treated using systematic desensitisation

  Some psychologists believe some phobias to be evolutionary

  Systematic desensitisation cannot be used to treat everyone with phobias , not a complete treatment , lowers validity and reliability 


  D - However , it has been shown to be effective for certain types of phobias and so can still effectively treat those , potentially asking patients questions about their phobic acquisition may aid in narrowing down those who show promise to be treated