What do you need to know about systematic desensitisation?
Systematic desensitisation uses reverse counter-conditioning to unlearn the maladaptive response to a situation or object, by eliciting another response (relaxation). There are three critical components to systematic desensitisation: Fear hierarchy. Relaxation training. Reciprocal inhibition.
When did Lang and Al use systematic desensitization?
Lang et al. (1963) used systematic desensitization with a group of college students who were all suffering from a snake phobia. They underwent 11 sessions to work through a hierarchy.
Why is systematic desensitisation more ethical than in vitro therapy?
This sort of technology is replacing in vitro therapy, making systematic desensitisation more ethical without losing its effectiveness; it also enables systematic desensitisation to be applied to phobias of things other than animals or objects.
Which is more ethical, flooding or systematic desensitisation?
Systematic desensitisation is much more ethical than flooding, because the participants are only exposed gradually to the thing that they fear and they only move on to greater exposure when they feel ready. With flooding, the patient is exposed to the object they fear all at once, in a very intense way. This can be distressing.
How does desensitization work for people with fear?
Therapies that utilize desensitization work by exposing someone to an animal, object, place or situation that causes fear. Someone can work toward becoming desensitized to his or her fears with help of a professional or by using self-help techniques.
Which is worse in vitro flooding or systematic desensitisation?
However, in vitro flooding is still more upsetting that in vitro systematic desensitisation. Neither systematic desensitisation nor flooding tackle the possible underlying problem behind the phobia. They are both behavioural therapies that only deal with the symptoms, not the cause.