Phobias

Question 1

Behavioural characteristics of phobias

Answer 1

Panic
Avoidance
Endurance

Question 2

Emotional characteristics of phobias

Answer 2

Fear
Anxiety

Question 3

Cognitive characteristics of phobias

Answer 3

Irrational beliefs
Selective attention

Question 4

Two process model

Answer 4

Phobia is initiated through classical conditioning
Phobia is maintained through operant conditioning

Question 5

Classical conditioning

Answer 5

Learning through association.
Stimulus produces same response as another stimulus because they have been constantly presented at the same time.

Question 6

Operant conditioning

Answer 6

Learning through the consequences of one’s behaviour

Question 7

Positive reinforcement

Answer 7

Behaviour leads to a reward

Question 8

Negative reinforcement

Answer 8

The behaviour stops something unpleasant.

Question 9

Punishment

Answer 9

The behaviour leads to something unpleasant.

Question 10

Two-process model evaluation + (stigma)

Answer 10

The model does not label; people with the stigma of being mentally ill. These labels can be damaging as they’re difficult to remove. Model is positive, perceiving phobias as incorrect responses that can be corrected.

Question 11

Two-process model evaluation + King(1998)

Answer 11

Reviewed several case studies and found children acquire phobias after traumatic experiences with phobic object. Supports initiation of phobias through classical conditioning.

Question 12

Two-process model evaluation -

Answer 12

Many people who have a traumatic experience, don’t develop a phobia. Classical conditioning does not explain all phobias.

Question 13

Two-process model evaluation -

Answer 13

Some people are scared of an object but haven’t had a negative experience or encountered the object before.

Question 14

Two-process model evaluation - biological

Answer 14

This model focuses on learning and the environment but does not take into account biological factors. Some people could have a genetic vulnerability to phobias.

Question 15

Systematic Desensitisation

Answer 15

A behavioural therapy developed by Wolpe (1958) to reduce phobias by using classical conditioning. A person shows fear and anxiety to phobic object, SD replaces it with relaxed responses.

Question 16

Central idea of SD

Answer 16

It is impossible to experience two opposite emotions at the same time- reciprocal inhibition. If patient can learn to remain relaxed in presence of phobia, they ca be cured. Called counter-conditioning.

Question 17

Stages of SD

Answer 17

1. Anxiety hierarchy is created
2. Relaxation training- Patients are taught deep muscle relaxation techniques
3. Gradual exposure - Work their way up anxiety hierarchy and use relaxation techniques. When comfortable with one stage, proceed to next. Eventually through repeated exposure with relaxation, phobia is eliminated.

Question 18

Strengths of SD

Answer 18

1. Jones (1942) supports use of SD to eradicate ‘Little Peter’s’ phobia. White rabbit, gradually closer, anxiety decreased each time. Developed affection eventually.
2. Klosko et al (1990) supports use of SD. 87% of patients panic free after SD compared to 50% meds, 36% placebo abdominal 33% no treatment.

Question 19

Weaknesses of SD

Answer 19

• time consuming as training and gradual exposure can take many sessions,
  -not appropriate for more generalised phobias where there is no obvious target behaviour and so difficult to devise hierarchy
  -Progress may not generalise outside of clinical setting without support of therapist

Question 20

Flooding

Answer 20

Directly exposing patient to phobic object.
Patient is taught relaxation techniques beforehand.
No gradual buildup using hierarchy.
Immediate exposure to very frightening and extreme situation.

Question 21

Flooding results

Answer 21

Stops phobic responses quickly because no option of avoidance, and quickly learn object is harmless thus extinction occurs.
Patients might achieve relaxation because they are so exhausted by their own fear response. Ethical but requires informed consent as causes psychological harm.

Question 22

Evaluation of flooding +

Answer 22

Wolpe (1960) used flooding to remove a patient’s phobia of being in cars. She was forced into a car and driven around for four hours until her hysteria was eradicated. Demonstrates effectiveness of flooding.

Question 23

Disadvantage of flooding

Answer 23

Highly traumatic experience, many patients might be unwilling to continue with therapy until the end. Time and money might be wasted preparing patients and then they can change their mind and phobia remains uncured.
Unsuitable for children bc trauma.

Question 24

Behavioural treatments address symptoms of phobias.

Answer 24

Some critics believe symptoms are tip of the iceberg, claim that underlying causes of phobia will remain. In the future symptoms will return or symptom substitution will occur - where other abnormal behaviours replace ones that have been removed.