Cognitive Therapies for Phobias and Evaluation of Explanations

1. Starter Task:In pairs choose one of the following scenarios. Explain how using behaviourist techniques one of these people could be treated.

2. Cognitive Therapies for Phobias and Evaluation of Explanations LOs: To understand cognitive therapies of phobias Evaluate Ost and Westling Evaluate the explanations of phobias

3. Recap of cognitive assumptions • Behaviour is the result of information processing • Comparison between minds and computers • Input/output • Limited capacity • Impose order and meaning on events • Atypical feelings reflect atypical or faulty processing of information • Use of schemas

4. Cognitive behavioural therapy: • There is a range of treatments for abnormal behaviour that are grouped together under the ‘cognitive’ umbrella. • What they tend to have in common is that they try to alter abnormal behaviour by challenging and changing the maladaptive thinking processes that underlie it. • Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy • One set of therapeutic techniques is called cognitive behaviour therapy. As its name suggests, this therapy combines elements of the behavioural model of abnormality. The therapy has two parts.

5. The cognitive part The cognitive part of the therapy involves identifying the faulty or irrational thinking processes that are affecting the client. This is done through questioning and getting the client to give examples of situations, what they would think and what they would do. During the cognitive part, the therapist develops ideas about what the client’s irrational beliefs are but does not challenge these directly. The behaviour part The behaviour part of the therapy involves setting homework for the client to do. The therapist gives the client tasks that will help them challenge their own irrational beliefs. The idea is that the client identifies their own unhelpful beliefs and then proves them wrong. As a result, their beliefs begin to change.

6. Cognitive Treatment Study: Ost & Westling

7. Applied relaxation is a way of teaching you how to release the tension in your body and relax your muscles. This helps to calm your mind. It doesn't involve taking any drugs. • Most people having this treatment have weekly sessions with a therapist over 12 to 15 weeks. Week by week the therapist teaches you to relax your body and your mind. You also learn how to relax in difficult situations instead of getting stressed or avoiding them.

10. Evaluation group task. Use the issues and debates page in your booklet to prompt you. We will then share as a class.

11. Evaluation

12. Evaluation of the explanations • Each group has an A3 sheet. • 1. eval of biological explanation of phobias • 2. eval of cognitive explanation of phobias • 3. eval of behavioural explanation of phobias Please set this up on your sheet. Now I will time 3 minutes and each group must add as much as they can. We will then rotate. If stuck – elaborate or respond to other points.

13. Biological Approach Evaluation of Explanation • .

14. Cognitive explanations of PHOBIAS Evaluation They will all laugh at me!

15. Behavioural ExplanationEvaluation Strengths Limitations

16. Homework • Continue your essay plan