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behavioural approach to treating and explaining phobias - Coggle Diagram
behavioural approach to treating and explaining phobias
phobia= an anxiety disorder which causes an irrational fear of a particular object or situation
explaining phobias
two process model
classical conditioning (acquisition)
phobias can be acquired through classical conditioning and associative learning.
operant conditioning (maintenance)
according to operant conditioning, phobias can be negatively reinforced. this is where a behaviour is strengthened because an unpleasant consequence is removed . This avoidance reduces the persons feelings of anxiety and negatively reduces their behaviour, making the person more likely to repeat this behaviour (avoidance)in the future. As a result, the person will maintain their phobia.
evaluation
supporting research from Watson and Rayner who conditioned phobia of rats on little Albert
limitation- not all bad experiences lead to phobia suggesting conditioning alone cannot explain phobia and they may only develop where vulnerability exists
treating phobias
systematic desensitisation
According to systematic desensitisation, two emotional states cannot exist at the same time, a theory known as reciprocal inhibition.a person is unable to be anxious and relaxed at the same time and the relaxation should
overtake the fear.
The patient starts at the bottom of the third hierarchy, and when the patient can remain relaxed in the presence of the stimulus, they gradually progress onto the next level. The patient gradually moves their way up the hierarchy until they are completely relaxed in the most feared situation; at this point systematic desensitisation is successful.
individual is taught relaxation techniques, for example breathing techniques, muscle relaxation strategies, or mental imagery techniques.
the client and therapist work together to develop a fear hierarchy, where they rank the phobic situation from least to most terrifying.
evaluation
limitation- not appropriate for treating all phobias as certain phobias have an evolutionary survival benefit are not as a result of personal experience, but the result of evolution. therefore SD is not appropriate in treating evolutionary phobias
strength- SD very effective at treating phobias and effects are long term
flooding
extreme behavioural therapy
person exposed to most frightening situation immediately
person is prevented from avoiding (negative reinforcement) their phobia and through continuous exposure anxiety levels decrease
in vivo= actual exposure, in vitro= imaginary exposure
patient is taught relaxation techniques and these are applied to the most feared situation either through direct or imagined exposure
evaluation
limitation-not appropriate treatment for all types of phobias such as social phobias which are much more complex and are likely to have cognitive aspects and will require irrational thoughts to be challenged
strength- effective treatment as study of 21 people with rat phobia who were asked to imagine their finger being nibbled and being clawed by rats. after treatment, 20 of them were able to hold a rat cage and 14 could pick up a rat