phobias- characteristics and explanations

Question 1

what are phobias

Answer 1

-uncontrollable , irrational, extreme reactions to an object/situation that are out of proportion to actual risk

Question 2

key features of phobias

Answer 2

-reaction is excessive and causes great distress
-phobia interferes with normal life
-persists for at least 6 months

Question 3

what does the DSM-5 recognise as the categories of phobias/ related anxiety disorder

Answer 3

-specific phobia (of an object or situation)
-social anxiety (of a social situation e.g. public speaking)
-agoraphobia (being outside in public area)

Question 4

emotional characteristics of phobias

Answer 4

-phobia are classified as anxiety disorders, so involve response of anxiety
-fear: the immediate and unpleasant response to phobic stimulus
-emotional response is unreasonable
-how they feel when they see a feared object

Question 5

behavioural characteristics of phobias

Answer 5

-behaving in certain ways
1) avoidant responses- self explanatory ;)
2)panic responses- causing a fight, flight or freeze response
3)disruption of function- avoidance can lead to interfere with ability to conduct everyday activities
4)endurance-alternative to avoidance, choose to remain in presence but keep an eye on it

Question 6

cognitive characteristics of phobias

Answer 6

-ways in which people process the info
-selective attention: focusing on feared stimuli
-irrational beliefs: may hold unfounded/irrational thoughts in relation to phobic stimuli
-cognitive distortions: perception of phobia may be unrealistic e.g. snakes as alien

Question 7

what is the model which suggests how phobias occur

Answer 7

the two process model: mowrer

Question 8

what is the two process model and what does it believe

Answer 8

behaviourist explanation of phobias
1) acquired through classical conditioning
2) maintained through operant conditioning

Question 9

acquisition: classical conditioning + formula

Answer 9

-acquired when something that normally causes no fear is paired with something that does

-ucs–> ucr
-ucs+ns–>ucr
-cs–>cr

Question 10

maintenance: operant conditioning

Answer 10

-avoidance of feared stimulus reduces anxiety
-by removing/avoiding feared object, unpleasant emotions taken away
-phobias persist because person avoids thing theyre afraid of