Outline and evaluate the behaviourist approach to treating phobias
1. Systematic desensitisation (SD) is an effective behavioural therapy to treat phobias.
A01: counterconditioning, the patient is taught a new positive association with the phobic
stimuli through classical conditioning. “Desensitisation Hierarchy”, relaxation techniques.
A03: Effective – McGrath (1990) reported that 75% of patients with phobias respond to SD.
But symptoms not cause. Only treating the anxiety response and tackling the avoidance
behaviour. Have not tackled the root of the behaviour, high likelihood that behaviour will
resurface.
Thus, might only be useful in short term
2. Not all phobias.
A01: Seligman 1970, some phobias (e.g snakes) have an evolutionary survival component
A03: Hence SD might be less effective in treating these phobias than phobias which have
been acquired as a result of personal experience. Furthermore, more suited to treat specific
phobias as it is easier to counter condition. Social and agoraphobia have a larger cognitive
aspect.
Therefore, SD might only be used effectively in tackling some phobias.
3. Minimum motivation.
A01: flooding, exposed to a phobic stimulus in a long session
A03: the treatment does not require high levels of motivation from the patient. Useful for
people who lack insight into their motivation or emotions such children, patients with
learning difficulties. Further strength of behavioural therapy is that relaxation techniques can
be used outside the therapeutic setting to reduce anxiety.
Therefore, SD and flooding are very practical
4. It could be that success of SD is due to cognitive factors
A01: BA ignores cognitions as they are not observable and measurable. Only interested in
stimulus and response process.
A03: Klein (1983) - compare psychotherapy and SD for patients with either social or specific
phobias. Found no difference in success rates. Could be due to the hopeful expectations that
the phobia could be mastered.
Suggest that cognitive factors may be more importnant that the BA accounts for.
1. Systematic desensitisation (SD) is an effective behavioural therapy to treat phobias.
A01: counterconditioning, the patient is taught a new positive association with the phobic
stimuli through classical conditioning. “Desensitisation Hierarchy”, relaxation techniques.
A03: Effective – McGrath (1990) reported that 75% of patients with phobias respond to SD.
But symptoms not cause. Only treating the anxiety response and tackling the avoidance
behaviour. Have not tackled the root of the behaviour, high likelihood that behaviour will
resurface.
Thus, might only be useful in short term
2. Not all phobias.
A01: Seligman 1970, some phobias (e.g snakes) have an evolutionary survival component
A03: Hence SD might be less effective in treating these phobias than phobias which have
been acquired as a result of personal experience. Furthermore, more suited to treat specific
phobias as it is easier to counter condition. Social and agoraphobia have a larger cognitive
aspect.
Therefore, SD might only be used effectively in tackling some phobias.
3. Minimum motivation.
A01: flooding, exposed to a phobic stimulus in a long session
A03: the treatment does not require high levels of motivation from the patient. Useful for
people who lack insight into their motivation or emotions such children, patients with
learning difficulties. Further strength of behavioural therapy is that relaxation techniques can
be used outside the therapeutic setting to reduce anxiety.
Therefore, SD and flooding are very practical
4. It could be that success of SD is due to cognitive factors
A01: BA ignores cognitions as they are not observable and measurable. Only interested in
stimulus and response process.
A03: Klein (1983) - compare psychotherapy and SD for patients with either social or specific
phobias. Found no difference in success rates. Could be due to the hopeful expectations that
the phobia could be mastered.
Suggest that cognitive factors may be more importnant that the BA accounts for.
