Fear and Anxiety Flashcards
Is fear and anxiety normal?
can be normal and adaptive, can be abnormal and maladaptive
Which part of the brain responds to fear? What system is this part of?
Amygdala in limbic system
What are the 3 components of the fear response?
Behavioural, neurological, hormonal
What is the purpose of the normal fear response? What properties identify a normal response?
Occours in réponse to an identifiable stimulus perceived as a threat
Animal focusses on stimulus, fear espouse is directed towards it
Stops when stimulus removed
In proportion to the degree of threat posed
What is a phobia?
Excessive response to a fear stimulus or response to a non-fearful stimulus
May persist after stimulus has been removed
Limits normal behaviour
What defines anxiety?
Animal anticipates something scary, no stimulus present at the time
May be associated wit ha specific fear eg. anxiety in the dark if scared of fireworks
What are the physical signs of the fear response?
Panting Salivation Dilated pupils Whale eye Urination/Defecation Anorexia Piloerection
What postural changes may be seen in a fearful dog?
Crouched, ears lowered, tail lowered
What postural changes may be seen in a fearful cat?
Crouched/flattened
Ears flattened
Paws and tail tucked in
If unable to escape -> piloerection
What fear related behaviours are specifically seen in dogs?
Freeze/hide/flee
Fight - defensive aggression
Appeasement behaviours
Displacement behaviours eg. digging/licking/scratching (illogical panic/stress behaviour)
What did Kendal Shephard make?
Ladder of aggression
- starts with licking/yawning -> biting
Who created the ladder of aggression?
Kendal Shephard
Which behaviour in dogs is often misinterpreted?
Rolling over to show belly - not belly rub!
Why might the ladder of aggression not fit real life situations?
If lesser signals have been ignored or told off may miss them out in future as they haven’t helped in the past
What anxiety related behaviour may be seen?
Increased vigilance and scanning Aimless wandering/pacing Urine marking Destruction/chewing Change in grooming - Increase or decrease
What factors influence the fear response shown by an individual animal?
Stimulus
Genetics
Previous experience (socialisation period, environmental referencing)
Pain may stop normal response to fearful situation eg. escape -> aggression as a backup
How may stress in neonatal life impact stress responses later in life?
Low levels vHPA axis activation but higher levels ^HPA activation
What theories are important when understanding development of behaviour problems?
Learning theory Habituation - not learning because response will reoccur if stimulus not encountered for a while Sensitisation Generalisation Classical conditioning Conditioned emotional response
What factors will decide whether an animal sensitises or habituates to a stimulus over time?
Stress levels Predisposition Medical issues eg. hyperthyroidism, deafness Strength of initial stimulus Fear/confidence of individuals
Give some causes of anxiety
Genes/personality
Medical problems eg. pain/hyperthyroidism/cognitive dysfunction
Chronic stress
Unpredictability eg. allowed to jump up when clean, not when muddy
What are common triggers of fear and anxiety related problems?
Loud noises Strangers Handled ar vets Aggression to familiar people Anxiety of other animals Separation related stress
What forms of noise related fear problems can exist?
Fear
Anxiety
Phobia
How may animals respond to a noise if fearful? Which of these responses are good?
Hiding - good Seeking comfort from owner - bad, ^risk of separation anxiety Pacing panting whining BARKING - not aggression, still fear Panic - destruction or bolting
How should owners react to a noise stimulus?
Normally - don’t comfort or tell off
