Anxiety - Exam 4

Question 1

anxiety DSM definition

Answer 1

• a generalized feeling of dread or apprehension, typically accompanied by a variety of physiological reactions (i.e. - increased heart rate, breathing irregularities, sweating, etc.)
• isn’t necessarily linked to stimuli, which makes it different than fear

Question 2

anxiety explanation

Answer 2

• not necessarily a bad thing
• it’s informative, motivating, & instructive if it occurs in a helpful way
• when anxiety becomes debilitating, overwhelming, pervasive, or out of proportion to the threat posed by a situation, this indicates a possible anxiety disorder

Question 3

Everyday Anxiety Examples/Explanation

Answer 3

• worrying about major life events
• nerves before a big test/performance
• anxiety/sadness immediately after a trauma
• embarrassment in awkward/uncomfortable situations
• realistic fear of a dangerous object

Question 4

Anxiety Disorders Examples/Explanation

Answer 4

• constant/unsubstantiated worry that interferes with daily life
• avoiding social situations for fear of being judged/embarrassed/humiliated
• irrational fear/avoidance of an object/situation that poses little to no threat
• recurring flashbacks/nightmares/avoidance about trauma several months/years later

Question 5

Anxiety Disorder Prevalence

Answer 5

thought to be the most common type of disorders in the US

• ~40 million adults in the US have a diagnosable disorder
• more common in women (typically)

Question 6

How do behavioral psychologists perceive anxiety disorders?

Answer 6

• believe conditioning is the source of anxiety disorders

Question 7

P/C phobia definition

Answer 7

the result of learned associations between previously neutral stimuli (NS) and frightening events

Question 8

general phobia definition

Answer 8

any number of the anxiety disorders that are characterized by a persistent fear and consequent avoidance of a specific object/situation

Question 9

phobia prevalence

Answer 9

about 14% of the general population have a phobia (typically conditioned in childhood)

Question 10

avoidance learning explanation/definition

Answer 10

e: once fear/anxiety becomes a CR to a CS, people can reduce their reaction by avoiding the fear stimulus
d: a person avoids a fear of elevators by using stairs