Phobias Flashcards
1
Q
What is a phobia?
A
An overwhelming and deliberating fear of an object, place, situation, feeling or animal
2
Q
Classical conditioning explanation of a phobia
A
- Phobias are a result of a neutral stimulus paired with an unconditioned stimulus to produce a conditioned response
- Evidence comes from Dollinger ( survivors of a thunder strike showed more intense fear of thunder, lightening than control group
3
Q
operant conditioning explanation of a phobia
A
- Develop as a result of reinforcement of fear response to objects
- experience anxiety in large groups will escape to reduce anxiety (negative reinforcement)
4
Q
Social learning theory explanation of a phobia
A
- Behaviour is learned through observation, imitation, vicarious reinforcement through rewards and punishments
- For example parent running away from wasp and child imitating
5
Q
What is systematic desensitisation?
A
- Conditioned stimulus will gradually become paired with relaxation response
- Step by step approach eg see picture, walk towards, touch
6
Q
What is flooding therapy?
A
- Full exposure to stimulus for prolonged time
- Done in safe and controlled way
- At first the person is in a state of extreme anxiety but eventually exhaustion settles in and anxiety goes down.
- Have to confront fears
