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Astrid has a fear of flying - AQA - A-Level Psychology - Question 14 - 2020 - Paper 1
Question 14
Astrid has a fear of flying. She experienced a flight with heavy turbulence when returning from a holiday and since then has been unable to board a plane. Astrid has... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Astrid has a fear of flying - AQA - A-Level Psychology - Question 14 - 2020 - Paper 1
Step 1
Explain systematic desensitisation and its process
Answer
Systematic desensitisation begins with a client and therapist undertaking a functional analysis, where the triggers of the phobia are discussed before any intervention takes place. The therapist will teach the client relaxation techniques, such as breathing skills, muscle relaxation, and calming the heart rate. The client and therapist will then construct a fear hierarchy that ranks the fear stimuli from least fearful to most fearful.
Step 2
Step 3
Astrid's personal context
Answer
Astrid could explain her fear of flying and the impact it has on her life choices, such as how it prevents her from traveling abroad. She would use the relaxation strategies when exposed to her fear of flying during the therapy and continue to use these strategies when she boards the flight to her friend's wedding.
Step 4
Gradual progression
Answer
The therapy might start with images of a plane, followed by video clips, eventually leading to being inside a simulator and then an actual flight. As Astrid progresses, she can use breathing and relaxation techniques when watching a video of a flight until she feels calm enough to watch the video without a fear response being triggered, then move on to the next level.