Author Question: Is systematic desensitization effective for treating phobias? What will be an ideal ... (Read 85 times)

crazycityslicker · **on:** Jun 22, 2018

Is systematic desensitization effective for treating phobias?

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

What is the basic principle of systematic desensitization?

What will be an ideal response?

Edwyer · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 22, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Yes, it does appear to be effective for treating some anxiety conditions, especially simple phobias.

Answer to Question 2

The basic principle of systematic desensitization is to pair graduated imagined phobic scenarios (e.g., scenarios associated with giving a speech for a speech-anxious person) with the experience of deep relaxation. These graduated images form a hierarchy that starts with the least feared (e.g., thinking about enrolling in a speech class) and progresses to the most feared (e.g., giving a speech to a speech class that will be critically evaluated by the instructor).