IGNOU PB Bsc Entrance-2022
Psychology
Easy

All of the following are steps of systematic desensitization, except:

Appeared in: IGNOU PB Bsc Entrance-2022

Explanation

  • Resolving unconscious conflicts is the primary goal of psychoanalysis and psychodynamic therapies, which explore repressed memories and hidden desires to understand current behavior.
  • This approach was developed by Sigmund Freud and focuses on internal, unobservable mental processes.
  • Systematic desensitization is a behavioral therapy that focuses exclusively on observable behaviors and changing learned responses through conditioning.
  • Behavioral therapies do not concern themselves with unconscious motivations, making this option the clear exception.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

  • Option A: This is incorrect because relaxation training is the foundational first step of systematic desensitization. The client must learn to induce a state of deep relaxation to counter the anxiety response.
  • Option B: This is incorrect because hierarchy construction is the essential second step. It involves creating a graded list of feared stimuli, from least to most anxiety-provoking, which guides the exposure process.
  • Option C: This is incorrect because the gradual desensitization to the stimulus is the core therapeutic third step. The client confronts the feared items from the hierarchy while in a relaxed state, gradually extinguishing the fear.

Related Visual

Visual explanation — Related Visual
Clinical Relevance
  • Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Steps of Systematic Desensitization as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
  • Nurses, especially in mental health settings, should understand systematic desensitization as a treatment for patients with specific phobias (e.g., needles, enclosed spaces), PTSD, and anxiety disorders.
  • Nurses can support patients by reinforcing relaxation techniques before anxiety-provoking procedures and by assisting in creating a safe environment for therapeutic exposures.
  • Patient education is key; nurses can explain the rationale behind the therapy to improve adherence and reduce apprehension about the process.
How to Approach the Question
  • First, identify the core concept of the question, which is 'systematic desensitization'.
  • Recognize the negative framing of the question ('except'). This means you are looking for the option that does NOT belong.
  • Recall or deduce the nature of systematic desensitization. It is a structured, behavioral therapy.
  • Evaluate each option against this understanding. 'Relaxation training', 'hierarchy construction', and 'desensitization' are all concrete, procedural steps.
  • 'Resolving unconscious conflicts' is an abstract, psychological concept related to a different school of thought (psychoanalysis).
  • The option that is conceptually different from the others is the correct answer to an 'except' question.
Concept Tested & Keywords
  • Concept Tested: Steps of Systematic Desensitization
  • Stem keywords: systematic desensitization, steps
  • Lead-in keywords: except
  • Negative lead-in flag: The question asks for the exception among the given options.

Question ID

Q2j4-65dOsoetPMH6ZABDR

Reference Book

E6 Kaplan Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry-2022 (pp 1-3768 of 3768) pp. 2420-2422, 2421-2423

E6 Psychology Morgan King 9e Part 2 p. 300-302

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