Defining and explaining phobias

Question 1

Define a phobia.

Answer 1

An anxiety disorder symbolised by extreme irrational fear of objects or situations.

Question 2

What are the behavioural characteristics of phobias?

Answer 2

• Avoidance
• Panic
• Endurance behaviours

Question 3

What are the cognitive characteristics of phobias?

Answer 3

• Decrease in concentration (selective attention to the stimulus)
• Irrationality and resistance to reason
• Distortions
• Recognition that the phobia is excessive

Question 4

What are the emotional characteristics of phobias?

Answer 4

Excessive fear of exposure or anticipation of phobia including fear, anxiety and internal panic.

Question 5

How are phobias explained?

Answer 5

Using Mower’s two process model. This involves acquisition of a phobia via classical conditioning and maintenance of a phobia via operant conditioning.

Question 6

How can a phobia be learnt via classical conditioning?

Answer 6

• Classical conditioning is learning through association
• A neutral stimulus can be associated with an unconditioned stimulus resulting in a fear response

Question 7

How can a phobia be maintained via operant conditioning?

Answer 7

Operant conditioning is learning through consequences. Avoidance of the perceived fear stimulus acts as negative reinforcement which strengthens the avoidant behaviour.

Question 8

Evaluation of the two process model.

Answer 8

+ Real world application: treatment via systematic desensitisation or flooding
- Alternative explanations: evolutionary factors (innate survival mechanism), some phobias acquired by social learning, doesn’t account for cognitive processes e.g. irrational thinking.
+ De Jongh et Al found 73% of people with a fear of dental treatment following a traumatic event compared to a control of low dental anxiety only 21% had a traumatic event.
- Not all phobias result from a traumatic event and not all trauma results in a phobia - incomplete explanation.