Systematic desensitization: principles and applications

Altophobia and Desensitization

Phobias and Systematic Desensitization

Systematic phobic desensitization refers to the gradual process of reducing phobic and other negative behavioral responses through gradual exposure to related phenomena (Gerrig & Zimbardo, 2008; Shapiro, 2002). Generally, phobias are typically linked to early negative experiences, particularly in the formative years (Shapiro, 2002). In that regard, explicit messages communicated by adults and acute negative experiences are linked to the origin of phobias but it is believed that they also often feature both genetic and spontaneous components in their origin and development (Shapiro, 2002).

In principle, systematic desensitization allows the individual to experience exposure to the mildest forms of the phobic stimuli that the individual is capable of experiencing without crossing the threshold of his or her ability to tolerate without suffering acute and debilitating symptoms triggered by the phobic reaction. Gradually, as the individual experiences low levels of exposure to the source of phobic fears, the individual increases the threshold above which exposure triggers acute responses beyond those capable of being managed rationally (Gerrig & Zimbardo, 2008; Shapiro, 2002).

For example, a subject who suffers from arachnophobia (fear of spiders) would not be exposed immediately to live spiders because that exercise would immediately trigger an acute phobic reaction (Gerrig & Zimbardo, 2008); if anything, repeated exposures that trigger the acute reaction only achieve the opposite effect, reinforcing instead of reducing the phobic response (Gerrig & Zimbardo, 2008; Shapiro, 2002).

Applying Systematic Phobic Desensitization to Altophobia

Applying the concept of systematic phobic desensitization to altophobia would likely involve first exposing the subject to the most benign possible visual form of heights without actually experiencing any elevation. For example, in the first stage, the subject might simply page through photographs of elevated scenarios such as views from a high window ledge. A second phase might involve exposing to subject to motion pictures of moderate elevation, again without actually experiencing any elevation himself or herself.

A third phase of the process could involve exposing the subject to the mildest degree of stimuli that involve physical involvement, such as sitting by a closed window at an elevation well below the height at which the subject firs begins to experience a phobic response. Subsequently, the window might be opened and the subject allowed to become comfortable sitting next to it; the subject would then be encouraged to gradually increase the height of the window until it first approached the height at which the subject first begins to experience a physiological reaction. According to practicing and psychologists (Shapiro, 2002) and psychological theorists alike, (Gerrig & Zimbardo, 2008), the most crucial aspect of successful systematic desensitization is avoiding any dramatic increase in the degree of exposure at the point where the subject first begins to experience a phobic response.