Module 9

Question 1

Phenomenalogy

Answer 1

The study of experiences, perceptions, thoughts, feelings, memories and fantasies. Goal is to describe reality as it appears to a person

Question 2

Diff between compulsive and impulsive behaviour

Answer 2

They have specific function; performed to reduce obsessional stress

Other impulsive behaviour like hair pulling is to distract, pleasure or gratify

Question 3

Not-just-right feelings

Answer 3

Anxiety, uncertainty, incompleteness or asymmetry

Question 4

Conditioning model of obsessions ad compulsions (Mowrer)

Answer 4

Two-factor theory;
- pathological fear is acquired through classical conditioning
- Maintained by operant conditioning

Avoidance and compulsions form negative reward that (temporary) reduces discomfort

BUT; trauma is not necessary to develop OCD

Question 5

Cognitive behavioural approach to O&C (Beck)

Answer 5

Emphasises belief about situations and stimuli rather than stimuli themselves. Include the finding that intrusions are normal from time to time.

If the meaning is taken seriously, it turns into an obsession, motivating that person to engage in compulsive behaviour.

Avoidance leads to:
- Immediate escape, preventing learning they’re manageable
- Inability to learn that obsessional distress decreases naturally
- Increase in frequency of obsessions bc they serve as reminders
- wrong attribution of compulsion to event not happening

Question 6

Musts of effective interventions

Answer 6

• Correct maladaptive beliefs and appraisals that maintain obsession
• Decrease avoidance and compulsive behaviour that serve as barriers to correction of beliefs

Question 7

Exposure vs response prevention

Answer 7

Exposure: Better at reducing obsessional fear
Response prev.: Better at reducing compulsive rituals