Questions and Answers
What is a strength of systematic desensitisation based on?
What was the finding of Gilroy et al. (2003) regarding systematic desensitisation?
The systematic desensitisation group was less fearful than the control group.
What percentage of patients were successfully treated using systematic desensitisation according to McGrath et al. (1990)?
75%
Systematic desensitisation is more ethical than flooding.
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Why is valid consent possible in systematic desensitisation?
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How many sessions does systematic desensitisation typically take?
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Systematic desensitisation is effective in treating serious mental disorders such as depression.
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What does the biological approach suggest about the cause of abnormal behavior?
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What is a limitation of systematic desensitisation in real-life application?
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What types of fears is systematic desensitisation not effective for, according to Martin Seligman?
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Symptom substitution suggests that treating one phobia may cause another to emerge.
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Study Notes
Systematic Desensitisation Overview
- Based on classical conditioning, a well-established psychological theory for treating phobias.
Supporting Theory: Gilroy et al. (2003)
- Study involved 42 arachnophobic patients undergoing three 45-minute systematic desensitisation sessions.
- Follow-up assessments at three months and 33 days post-treatment revealed less fear in the desensitisation group compared to the control group.
Supporting Theory: McGrath et al. (1990)
- 75% success rate in treating patients with phobias using in-vivo techniques within systematic desensitisation framework.
Strength: Ethical Considerations
- Gradual exposure reduces participant stress, making systematic desensitisation more ethical compared to flooding.
Strength: Informed Consent
- Patients have autonomy to dictate treatment direction, attend sessions voluntarily, and can withdraw at any time.
Weakness: Time Consumption
- Treatment typically requires 6-8 sessions, which may be considered too slow for individuals needing rapid fear reduction.
Weakness: Efficacy for Serious Mental Disorders
- Systematic desensitisation is ineffective in addressing serious mental health conditions, including depression, schizophrenia, and certain social phobias.
Weakness: Biological Perspectives
- Challenges from biological psychology, which posits that abnormal behavior is innate rather than learned, suggesting a need for medical treatment.
Weakness: Real-Life Application
- Gradual exposure in controlled settings may not translate effectively to uncontrolled real-life situations, such as unexpected encounters with feared stimuli.
Weakness: Limitations with Ancient Fears
- Ineffective for fears stemming from evolutionary threats (e.g., heights, caves). Martin Seligman (1970) suggests a genetic predisposition to associate certain stimuli with danger.
Weakness: Symptom Substitution
- Some researchers propose that a phobia may be a symptom of a deeper issue; eliminating one phobia may result in the emergence of another, highlighting potential inadequacies in treatment.
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Description
Explore key concepts and evaluations of systematic desensitisation through these flashcards. The quiz includes foundational theories and supporting studies, such as Gilroy et al. (2003), to enhance your understanding. Perfect for psychology students focusing on treatment methods for phobias.
