phobias

Question 1

phobia definition

Answer 1

-when the fear of something is uncontrollable, extreme and irrational

Question 2

what is a phobia

Answer 2

• form of anxiety disorder
• responses may be out of proportion
• aware of irrational response but can’t control it

Question 3

2 types of phobia

Answer 3

1. simple/specific (of a specific thing)

2. social phobia (of social situations)

Question 4

3 behavioural characteristics

Answer 4

1. avoidance
2. panic
3. endurance

Question 5

2 emotional characteristics

Answer 5

1. persistant anxiéty

2. unpleasant state of high stimulation

Question 6

3 cognitive characteristics

Answer 6

1. recognition of the phobia
2. selective attention (some people watch it)
3. distortions

Question 7

explanation of phobias

Answer 7

two process model
-phobias are acquired through classical conditioning and maintained through operant conditioning
1-associate a neutral stimulus with a feared response (little Albert)
-once association has taken place, we generalise
2-phobia maintained through negative reinforcement

Question 8

2 treatments of phobias

Answer 8

1. systematic desensitisation

2. flooding

Question 9

systematic desensitisation is

Answer 9

• designed to gradually reduce anxiety through classical conditioning
• learn to relax in presence of phobia
• reciprocal inhibition = impossible to be relaxed and anxious at the same time

Question 10

3 steps of systematic desensitisation

Answer 10

1. anxiety hierarchy (from least to most frightening)
2. relaxation (breathing exercises)
3. exposure whilst in relaxed state

Question 11

flooding is

Answer 11

• no gradual build up, immediate exposure
• longer than SD sessions, sometimes only 1 needed
• no option for avoidance so quickly learn its harmless(extinction), a learned response is extinguished
• some may achieve relaxation because they are exhausted
• need full consent

Question 12

4 advantages of treatments

Answer 12

1. SD is effective
2. flooding is cost effective
3. flooding is most practical
4. neither are unethical

Question 13

3 disadvantages of treatments

Answer 13

1. flooding is not suited to some patients e.g. learning difficulties
2. not appropriate for all phobias e.g. fear of the dark
3. both cause high levels of stress = high drop out rate