systematic desensitisation

• developed by?

  Wolpe. Assumption that phobia is learnt by repeated pairing of NS and UCS
• what is systematic desensitisation?

  step by step process which individual with phobia becomes more familiar with feared object.

  • carried out over time with goal of being able to face fear in a calm manner.
  • individual can be introduced either in vivo (exposed to real object) or in vitro (through imaginary exposure).
  • individuals also taught how to relax muscles (progressive muscle relaxation)
• effectiveness?

  • generalised to many specific phobias (spiders). Capafons (98) found it is effective for fear of flying.
  • scientific evidence, McGrath (90) found 75% individuals with phobias respond to this therapy
• limitations?

  • individual differences? therapy may not suit everyone.
  • also cannot be applied to people with an anxiety disorder as objects must be clearly identifiable for it to work.
  • reductionist, presumes all phobias due to CC but more complex cognitive processes could lie behind a phobia.
  • less effective at treating phobias with underlying survival component (fear of the dark)
• ethics?

  ethical, exposure is agreed upon and gradual so they can feel in control
• alternatives?

  • Freeman (2018) suggests virtual reality
  • aversion therapy. treat dysfunctional behaviour with negative stimulus, used to try and convert homosexuals to be heterosexual. (looking at pictures of same sex=shock, opposite sex= no shock).
  • 1960s, gay man Billy Clegg-Hill died from coma and convulsions due to injections of drug making him sick to pair with naked men
  • Aversion therapy is now illegal