Phobias* Flashcards
Give some examples of behavioural characteristics of phobias.
Behavioural characteristics of phobias are categorised by avoidance behaviours. These include:
- ‘Fight of flight reflex’ - vasoconstriction, sweating, increased heart rate.
What are cognitive characteristics in relation to phobias?
Obsessive thoughts about the situation or phobic object. the sufferer realises that their fear is irrational, yet they are unable to control their thoughts.
Who is credited with the two-process theory as an explanation for phobias?
Mowrer.
Who did Watson and Raynor study in their classical conditioning study.
They performed their study on a baby boy who was known as, ‘Little Albert’.
Briefly describe classical conditioning as it was performed on Little Albert.
Classical Conditioning:
UCS (noise) ———-> UCR (Fear)
UCS (noise) + CS (Rat) ——-> UCR (Fear)
CS (Rat) ——> CR (Fear)
Classical conditioning is said to create the phobia. What is operant conditioning said to do?
Operant conditioning maintains the phobia and makes it worse.
How does operant conditioning work?
Operant conditioning preserves the phobia through negative reinforcement. Negative reinforcement involves removal of a phobic object that results in a desirable feeling.
For example, reduction of anxiety when getting away the phobic object.
People will go to great lengths to avoid the object i.e. planning ahead or putting up with all manner of inconvenience.
What does the two-process theory state?
The phobia is acquired through classical conditioning and maintained through operant conditioning.
Give an advantage of the behavioural approach’s explanation (two-process model) of phobias.
Advantages:
- Empirical methodology - Watson and Raynor conducted their experiment in laboratory conditions - giving their findings high validity and reliability - classical conditioning can be demonstrated scientifically.
- Led to the development of real world therapies e.g. systematic desensitisation - Barlow et al (2002) success rates of 60 - 90% for behaviourist therapies - giving credibility to this explanation.
Give a disadvantage of the behavioural approach to explaining phobias.
Disadvantages:
- Limited explanation - taking into account reward and punishment - ignores other factors e.g. biology, childhood experience and everyday stressors - too simplistic in explaining a complex topic such as phobias.
- Watson and Raynor’s study is ethically questionable.
- Ethnocentric sample in Watson and Raynor’s study - low population validity - results may vary in pps of a different age group.
Who created the process of systematic desensitisation?
Joseph Wolpe (1958) created the treatment that is systematic desensitisation.
Briefly outline the steps of systematic desensitisation.
1) . Client is taught relaxation techniques.
2) . Client will construct a fear hierarchy - objects or situations from least feared to most feared.
3) Client and therapist will confront each item in the list - only moving on when the client feels fully relaxed in that scenario.
If it has worked, the client will have learnt a new response to a stimulus. Relaxation. The client has been counter-conditioned.
What does ‘flooding’ involve?
Flooding involves direct exposure of the client to the phobic object/situation. The idea is the client will realise there is no basis to the phobia.
What is reciprocal inhibition, and which treatment does it apply to?
Reciprocal inhibition is the idea that a person cannot be afraid and relaxed at the same time, meaning one emotion prevents the other. It is the basis of systematic desensitisation.
What does implosion therapy involve?
A client will work with a therapist to imagine facing the phobia. It aims to show clients that their fear is groundless and there is no basis to their fears.
