Flooding and graduated exposure?

[nangwo]

Does flooding involve relaxation techniques similar to graduated exposure where the individual is taught relaxation exercuses?

Also what's the difference between systematic desensitisation and graduated exposure?

[brenden]

Does flooding involve relaxation techniques similar to graduated exposure where the individual is taught relaxation exercuses?

Also what's the difference between systematic desensitisation and graduated exposure?

Nope flooding involves no relaxation techniques. It basically relies on the principle that fear cannot last forever, and eventually the individual HAS to feel relaxed. When the fear dies out and they recognise there's nothing to be afraid of etc etc is when they are cured. As you can imagine, you wouldn't be using flooding on any old people or people with heart conditions; the idea is to have the end result a relaxed patient instead of a dead one.
S.D and graduated exposure are two interchangeable terms for the same thing =]

[Felicity Wishes]

Correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't graduated exposure involve associating the phobic stimulus with relaxation until the person is able to be relaxed in the fearful situations..? Just clarifying because I just grasped this concept.

[Scooby]

Correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't graduated exposure involve associating the phobic stimulus with relaxation until the person is able to be relaxed in the fearful situations..? Just clarifying because I just grasped this concept.

Yeah, that's right, you're essentially just pairing the phobic stimulus with a relaxation technique until an association has formed

[Camo]

Flooding is when you take the worst possible fear-inducing stimulus and give it to them. Like say Nacho is afraid of penguins, and I lock him in an exhibit at the zoo until he realises his fear is irrational.

Graduated exposure is taking it slow, using relaxation techniques and using steps exposing them from the lowest to the highest stimulus of fear. Example being showing Nacho a picture of a penguin, taking him to see penguins, and then getting him to feed the penguins.

[Felicity Wishes]

^^ Great!

[nangwo]

get it now! thanks everyone