Overview of dental anxiety Flashcards
Name the 3 theories of learning
- Behaviourism
- Cognitivism
- Social Learning theory
Give a brief definition of what behaviourism is?
Is is learning through association
What does behaviourism focus on?
It focuses on observable behaviour
What is the key form of leaning according to the behaviourism theory?
Conditioning
Name the 2 types of conditioning
- Classical
2. Operant
What did pavlov discover?
Pavlov found that dogs would also salivate to a related stimuli – a pitch fork of a higher or lower tone would elicit some degree of salivation
What does classical conditioning say?
A response similar or identical to one originally elicited by unconditioned stimulus is made into a response to a conditioned stimulus based on pairing the two stimuli
Give an example of classical conditioning in a dental situation?
A pairing of pain during a dental procedure with environmental stimuli leads to development of the fear response to the environmental cues alone
What is stimulus generalisation?
Conditioned response evoked by stimuli that are similar to the original conditioned stimulus
Give an example of stimulus generalisation in a dental situation?
Patient shows fear when visiting a new dental practice
What is stimulus discrimination?
Conditioned response not evoked by stimuli similar to but not identical to conditioned stimulus
Give an example of stimulus discrimination in a dental situation?
Patient shows fear response to sight of the drill but not to equipment used to clean the teeth
What is extinction?
Weakening of conditioned response when conditioned stimulus is repeatedly presented without the unconditioned stimulus
Give an example of extinction in a dental situation?
Use of anaesthetics and painless procedures leads to gradual reduction and elimination of fear of the dentist
What is spontaneous recovery?
Spontaneous return of the conditioned response some time after extinction occurs
Give an example of spontaneous recovery in a dental situation?
Fear of dentist returns spontaneously a few months or years after extinction
What is High order conditioning?
Conditioned response evoked by new stimulus that is paired with a conditioned stimulus that already elicits the response
Give an example of High order conditioning in a dental situation?
Patient cringes when hearing the dentist’s name
When is the conditioned response more reliable?
The more often the conditioned stimulus is paired with the unconditioned stimulus the more reliable the
What can happen to a patient who has had a very traumatic experience?
A patient who has a very traumatic experience may be left with an enduring fear of the DCP.
Define acquisition
when conditioning is occurring; depends on the nature of the stimulus, its strength and its timing.
Define higher order conditioning?
another stimulus is coupled to the CS
Define Habituation
we may stop responding to a frequently presented stimulus
Give an example of Habituation in a dental situation?
you are accustomed to the drill’s sound, patients are not
What are responses learned because of in Operant and instrumental conditioning ?
Responses are learned because of their consequences
What is behaviour shaped and maintained by in Operant and instrumental conditioning ?
Behaviour is shaped and maintained by consequences
What is the focus of the behaviourism theory?
Observation
How do habits form?
By Building connections between stimuli and response (conditioning) forms habits