Phobia Reference

Question 1

In cultures where individuals derive their sense of well-being and reassurance from those around them rather than in competition or contrast with others, diagnostic rates of social phobia seem to remain low.

Answer 1

Diagnosis of social phobia has cross-cultural differences, Hofmann et al, 2010

Question 2

There are particular stimuli in the environment which may pose a threat to survival so we are more genetically set up to avoid them. This is transmitted in our DNA through the generations to help our survival.

Answer 2

Ost, 1992

Question 3

“Fear could be learnt through conditioning.”An individual may develop a phobia of a harmless stimulus if it is paired with a frightening experience.

Answer 3

Watson & Rayner, 1920 - NS + UCS = CS

“Little Albert”

Question 4

Those with phobias are bias in their reasoning about what is harmful

Answer 4

Di Nardo et al, 1988

Question 5

Fear and anxiety can result from the impulses of the id when it is denied or repressed.

Answer 5

Freud, 1909

Question 6

Fear and Calm is incompatible, the fearful response is unlearnt. - Put the fearful feelings associated with a phobic stimulus directly in conflict with feelings of deep relaxation and calm.

Answer 6

Systematic Desensitization[Wolpe, 1958]

Question 7

Involve applying tension to the muscles to increase blood pressure. - The tension coping skill targets the sense of fainting rather than the initial anxiety.

Answer 7

Applied Tension [Ost et al., 1989]

Applied Relaxation = AT + Gradual Exposure

Question 8

AT appeared to contribute to clinically significant improvement in 70-80% of blood phobics

Answer 8

Ayala et al., 2009

Question 9

No significant difference between the AR and CBT
No relapse in either group at follow-up
Ø Both are successful short term and medium term alleviation of panic attack symptoms

Answer 9

[Ost & Westling, 1995