4.2: Phobias

Question 1

Ever since her house was flooded a few years ago, Betty has developed a fear of running water. She always tries to make sure she doesn’t go near any rivers or other sources of running water and her phobia causes problems at work and home, as she is unable to use the taps to wash or clean her teeth. Betty gets very fearful if she feels there’s a risk of being placed in a situation where there will be running water. Betty knows her fear is unreal, but it will not go away.

Making reference to the situation above, identify behavioural, emotional and cognitive characteristics of phobias (4 marks)

Answer 1

A behavioural characteristic of phobias that is evident in the situation is how Betty makes sure she doesn’t go near rivers or any other source of running water

Question 2

Ever since her house was flooded a few years ago, Betty has developed a fear of running water. She always tries to make sure she doesn’t go near any rivers or other sources of running water and her phobia causes problems at work and home, as she is unable to use the taps to wash or clean her teeth. Betty gets very fearful if she feels there’s a risk of being placed in a situation where there will be running water. Betty knows her fear is unreal, but it will not go away.

Making reference to the situation above, identify behavioural, emotional and cognitive characteristics of phobias (4 marks).
A behavioural characteristic of phobias that is evident in the situation is how Betty makes sure she doesn’t go near rivers or any other source of running water.
An emotional characteristic

Answer 2

An emotional characteristic is how Betty gets very fearful if she feels she might be placed in a situation where there’s a risk there will be running water

Question 3

Ever since her house was flooded a few years ago, Betty has developed a fear of running water. She always tries to make sure she doesn’t go near any rivers or other sources of running water and her phobia causes problems at work and home, as she is unable to use the taps to wash or clean her teeth. Betty gets very fearful if she feels there’s a risk of being placed in a situation where there will be running water. Betty knows her fear is unreal, but it will not go away.

Making reference to the situation above, identify behavioural, emotional and cognitive characteristics of phobias (4 marks).
A behavioural characteristic of phobias that is evident in the situation is how Betty makes sure she doesn’t go near rivers or any other source of running water.
An emotional characteristic is how Betty gets very fearful if she feels she might be placed in a situation where there’s a risk there will be running water.
A cognitive characteristic?

Answer 3

A cognitive characteristic is how Betty knows her fear is unreal, but it will not go away