PS2. Characteristics of Phobias

Question 1

Behavioural Characteristics of Phobias

Answer 1

Panic, Avoidance, Endurance

Question 2

Panic

Answer 2

• heightened psychological arousal upon exposure to phobic stimulus
• caused by hypothalamus triggering increased activity levels in Sympathetic Branch of Autonomic NS

Question 3

Avoidance

Answer 3

• carried out to avoid unpleasant consequence of exposure to phobic stimulus
• negatively reinforced (classical conditioning)

Question 4

Endurance

Answer 4

• occurs when patient remains exposed to phobic stimulus for extended period of time, and also experiences high anxiety levels during this time

Question 5

Emotional Characteristics of Phobias

Answer 5

Anxiety, Unawareness of Irrational Response

Question 6

Anxiety

Answer 6

emotional consequence of physiological response of panic

Question 7

Unawareness of Irrational Response

Answer 7

• individual unaware that their anxiety towards the phobic stimulus is irrational
• evolutionarily; the phobic anxiety is not proportionate to the threat posed by the stimulus

Question 8

Cognitive Characteristics of Phobias

Answer 8

Selective Attention, Irrational Beliefs, Cognitive Distortions

Question 9

Selective Attention

Answer 9

• patient remains focused on phobic stimulus, despite it causing them anxiety
• may be result of irrational beliefs or cognitive distortions

Question 10

Irrational Beliefs

Answer 10

• may be cause of unreasonable responses of anxiety toward phobic stimulus, due to patients incorrect perception as to the exact danger posed

Question 11

Cognitive Distortions

Answer 11

• patient doesn’t accurately perceive phobic stimulus
• therefore, it may be grossly distorted or irrational (e.g. mycophobia, a fear of mushrooms)