Characteristics Of Phobias

Question 1

Define Phobias.

Answer 1

Anxiety disorders characterised by extreme irrational fears.

Question 2

Behavioural characteristics
Panic

Answer 2

May include crying, screaming or running away.

Question 3

Behavioural characteristics
Avoidance

Answer 3

Prevent coming into contact with the phobic stimulus.

For example, someone with a fear of public toilets may have to limit the time they spend outside the home in relation to how long they can last without a toilet. This in turn can interfere with work, education and a social life.

Question 4

Behavioural characteristics
Endurance

Answer 4

Choosing to remain in the presence of the phobic stimulus.

For example, a person with arachnophobia might choose to remain in a room with a spider on the ceiling and keep a wary eye on it rather than leaving.

Question 5

Cognitive characteristics
Selective attention to phobic stimulus

Answer 5

If a person can see the phobic stimulus it is hard to look away from it.

Keeping our attention on something really dangerous is a good thing as it gives us the best chance of reacting quickly to a threat, but this is not so useful when the fear is irrational.

Question 6

Cognitive characteristics
Irrational beliefs

Answer 6

Unfounded thoughts in relation to phobic stimuli.

For example, social phobias can involve beliefs like ‘I must always sound intelligent’ — This kind of belief increases the pressure on the person to perform well in social situations.

Question 7

Cognitive characteristics
Cognitive distortions

Answer 7

Perceptions of a person with a phobia may be inaccurate and unrealistic.

Question 8

Emotional characteristics
Anxiety

Answer 8

Unpleasant state of high arousal.

This prevents a person relaxing and makes it very difficult to experience any positive emotion.

Question 9

Emotional characteristics
Fear

Answer 9

Immediate and extremely unpleasant response we experience when we encounter or think about a phobic stimulus.

Question 10

Types of phobias
Specific

Answer 10

Phobia of an object, such as an animal or body part, or a situation such as flying or having an injection.

Question 11

Types of phobias
Social

Answer 11

Phobia of a social situation such as public speaking or using a public toilet.

Question 12

Types of phobias
Agoraphobia

Answer 12

Phobia of being outside or in a public place.