systematic desensitisation evaluation

Question 1

what makes it easy to measure?

Answer 1

• the goals are clearly specified so the outcomes are easy to measure
• data on effectiveness is easily compiled so scientifically credible

Question 2

what can be said about the relative effectiveness of in-vivo and in-vitro methods?

Answer 2

• in-vitro methods are generally less effective than in-vivo methods
• however they are used more frequently due to the ethical problems involved e.g. distress to ppt

Question 3

does the treatment treat the root cause of the beahviour?

Answer 3

• they fail to identify and treat the underlying cause of abnormality
• may change the behaviour but not address the root cause of why it developed in the first place (may manifest elsewhere)

Question 4

has the therapy been found to work?

Answer 4

• the therapy has limited success and doesn’t work for disorders such as psychoses
• the person needs to learn to relax and be involved in the whole process which not everyone can do

Question 5

what is the study of craske and barlow?

Answer 5

• between 60 and 80% of agoraphobics showed some improvement after SD but it was only slight and there was often relapse completely after 6 months, showing its not an effective long term treatment