Practise drug-placebo evidence for gambling disorder and the steps of covert sensitisation or imaginal desensitisation, applying each treatment to a case.
Covert sensitisation is a treatment for impulse control disorders.
Outline how one study used covert sensitisation to treat a participant (e.g. Glover, 1985).
Outline how one study used covert sensitisation to treat a participant (e.g. Glover, 1985).
Award 2 marks for a detailed outline.
Award 1 mark for a partial outline.
Answers may include:
From the study by Glover:
It was decided to use imagery of nausea and vomiting paired with the act of stealing. Episodes of imagery were used involving increasing nausea as she approached an article in a supermarket which she intended to steal, leading to vomiting as she lifted the article, with other shoppers' attention being attracted to her. The vomiting and other unpleasant sensations ceased as soon as she replaced the article, turned away and left the shop.
Other appropriate responses to be credited.
Explain two strengths of psychological treatments, such as covert sensitisation, for kleptomania.
Syllabus 1.3.3 Psychological (cognitive-behavioural) therapies including: - covert sensitisation, including a study, e.g. Glover (1985)
- imaginal desensitisation, including a study, e.g. Blaszczynski and Nower (2003).
Up to 2 marks for each strength × 2 .
Award 2 marks for an appropriate strength stated and applied as required by the question with detail / elaboration / example.
Award 1 mark for an appropriate strength stated but not applied.
Answers may include:
- Technique can be applied by anyone, in any place at any time (1) so the 'patient' can apply the technique themselves when they are exposed to a situation where they might be tempted to steal an item (2).
- As no medication is taken, the patient cannot become addicted to medication (1) unlike other biochemical treatments (2).
- Behavioural techniques are more likely to be generalised because all people can learn and 'unlearn' following the same principles (1) meaning that the principles of covert sensitisation can be generalised to not only people with kleptomania but other impulse control disorders (2).
Other appropriate responses to be credited.