Biological Explainations Of Phobias

Question 1

Noyes

Answer 1

Higher rate of agoraphobics in first degree relatives

Question 2

Fyer

Answer 2

50 patients
31% of first degree relatives had s specific phobia
Only 2 had the same type - not SLT

Question 3

Family study ao2

Answer 3

In same environment so could be nurture

Self report unreliable - memory

Question 4

Twin studies

Answer 4

Try to establish a genetic link by comparing concordance rates
MZ identical
DZ non

Question 5

Twin ao2

Torgersen

Answer 5

13 Mz - 31% concordance
16 Dz - 0%
Agoraphobia and panic disorder
None shared the same

Question 6

Twin ao2

Kendler

Answer 6

722 female twins with history of phobias
Mz had lower concordance than Dz
Protective twin bond?

Question 7

Twin studies ao2

Answer 7

Rare - small sample sizes = issues with reliability

Adoption studies are more helpful - even more rare

Question 8

GABA hypothesis

Answer 8

Arise due to abnormally low levels of GABA
A naturally calming neurotransmitter; inhibits action of other neurotransmitters released in the stress response = relieving stress
No GABA = overactive stress response

Question 9

GABA hypothesis ao2

Answer 9

Evidence comes from people being treated with Bz and Valium

Bz - increase GABA in the brain inhibiting the stress response

Question 10

Neuroanatomical explanation

Answer 10

PET scans
People with phobias have increased blood flow in the amygdala
Potentially an innate biological abnormality

Question 11

Ao2 neuroanatomical approach

Answer 11

When people with different phobias were exposed to their feared object levels of blood flow increased compared to controls

Causality
Research shows blood flow decreases when taking an antidepressant

Question 12

Family studies

Answer 12

First degree relatives = 50% genes
Second degree = 25%
Compare rates of phobias in relatives of diagnosed cases compared with relatives of controls
Try and establish a genetic link