Behavioural Approach To Phobias

Question 1

Specific phobias

Answer 1

Spiders
Blood
Aeroplanes etc

Question 2

Social phobias

Answer 2

Performance anxiety such as eating in public or speaking in public

Question 3

Agoraphobia

Answer 3

Fear of the outdoors

Being trapped in a public space where escape is difficult or embarrassing

Question 4

Phobia

Answer 4

An extreme irrational fear leading to intense anxiety and avoidance of an object or situation

Question 5

How would learning theory explain phobias?

Answer 5

All phobias are learned

Question 6

How are phobias started and maintained?

Answer 6

Started by classical conditioning

Maintained by operant conditioning

Question 7

Name 2 behavioural therapies for phobias

Answer 7

Systematic desensitisation

Flooding

Question 8

What are the 3 phobias recognised by DSM

Answer 8

Specific
Social
Agoraphobia

Question 9

Systematic desensitisation

Answer 9

Gets rid of phobias through classical conditioning- replaces fear with relaxation

1) teach them relaxation techniques
2) make anxiety hierarchy
3) gradual exposure of hierarchy until relaxed in each situation

Question 10

2 types of exposure

Answer 10

In vitro

In vivo

Question 11

in vitro

Answer 11

Clients imagine fear

Question 12

In vivo

Answer 12

client actually exposed to fear

Question 13

What is SD based on

Answer 13

Reciprocal inhibition

Question 14

reciprocal inhibition

Answer 14

You cannot feel fear and relaxation at the same time

Question 15

Evidence for SD

Answer 15

Gilroy (2003)- effective for specific phobias e.g. spiders

McGrath (1990)- 75% of people were successfully treated with SD

Question 16

Strengths of SD

Answer 16

Used on wide range of patients e.g. learning disabilities
Less unethical
In control
Lower attrition rates

Question 17

Weaknesses of SD

Answer 17

No long term benefits- Craske + Barlow 50% of patients relapsed after 6 months
Need lots of commitment/motivation
In vitro methods are not always effective
Cannot be used for abstract fears e.g. death
Ignores deeper underlying causes such as emotions/thinking Wolpe (1973)
Ignores that phobias are genetic.

Question 18

flooding

Answer 18

Person will become very anxious, but are not allowed to escape or avoid their phobia. They soon learn that the phobia stimulus is harmless

Question 19

What are the ethical issues with flooding

Answer 19

Distress
Harm
Can’t withdraw

Question 20

Strengths of flooding

Answer 20

Effective
Quick
Choy + kaplin- longer lasting than SD

Question 21

Weaknesses of flooding

Answer 21

Highly traumatic
Higher attrition rate (drop out)
cheaper