psychological models of anxiety disorders Flashcards
1
Q
psychoanalytic model
A
- Does psychoanalysis and associated psychoanalytic theory have a role in clinical psychology practice
- Founder of psychoanalysis- Sigmund Freud
Main idea - Physical symptoms were the result of patient’s inability to deal with invisible, unconscious sexual psychological drives - Overarching term= anxiety neurosis.
- Founder of psychoanalysis- Sigmund Freud
2
Q
models of anxiety in clinical psychology
A
- The importance of psychological models.
- Are models necessary to advance clinical practice
- Is it necessary to assess the validity and reliability of psychological models
Consider how psychological models link to evidence-based practice in clinical psychology?
3
Q
psychoanalysis- unconscious processing
A
- Through clinical observations and formulation Freud developed a model of psychoanalysis
- The example of Little Hans is a famous case study of Freud’s theory of anxiety
- Hans – 5-year-old boy with a fear of horses
- Through information provided to Freud via Hans’ father
○ Hans’ horse phobia was a fear of his unconscious sexual desire for his mother and his unconscious fear of the to be experienced angry from his father.
○ The unacceptable fear (i.e. the unacceptable nature of the Oedipal complex) is transformed into a more acceptable phobia
Neurotic anxiety manifests itself as fear of an external danger – in Hans’ situation the fear punishment which may come in the form of castration, but it all remains in the unconscious.p
4
Q
psychoanalytic model- unconscious mental processes
A
- Focus is on trying to uncover/decipher unconscious mental processing can impact adversely and lead to numerous psychological issues including anxiety.
- Id, ego and superego often the three core constructs (but the model has evolved).
- Id: primitive/instinctive reservoir of psychic distress/desire
- Ego. Aspect of the psyche with the aim of controlling desires- if ego fails , then the outcome is neurotic anxiety, and the desire becomes repressed
- Superego- Acts as the ’conscience”. Often thought as reflecting social norms and reflects learning via the person’s father.
Many scientists believe that although there are intriguing theoretical ideas, there is no methodological rigour involved in testing the idea and ultimately deficient in facts.
5
Q
behavioural models of anxiety
A
- Anxiety is a learned response – the more we are rewarded for a behaviour the more likely we are to do it- i.e. the behaviour is reinforced
- Classical Conditioning (Pavlov)
- Operant (instrumental) Conditioning (Watson, Skinner)
- Two stage theory of the acquisition & maintenance of fear and avoidance behaviour (Mowrer, 1939; 1960).
How well do behavioural models explain anxiety?
6
Q
classical conditioning
A
Innate unconditioned reflexes vs conditioned reflexes
7
Q
operant (instrumental) conditioning
A
- Method of learning that occurs through rewards and punishments for behaviour.
- Through operant conditioning, an individual makes an association between a particular behaviour and a consequence (Skinner, 1938).
Learned consequences modify the type and frequency of behaviour
8
Q
John Watson
A
- Published Psychology from the Standpoint of a Behaviorist in 1919
- Classical (Pavlovian) and instrumental conditioning can explain much, if not all, behavior.
- Inferring internal states is redundant and unnecessary
Cognitive explanations are not scientific
9
Q
BF Skinner- rise of behaviourism
A
“All we need to know in order to describe and explain behavior is this: actions followed by good outcomes are likely to recur, and actions followed by bad outcomes are less likely to recur.” (Skinner, 1953)
10
Q
operant conditioning techniques
A
- POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT
- Increasing a behaviour through reward
- e.g., an extra 30 minutes TV for helping with clearing up
- NEGATIVE REINFORCEMENT
- increasing a behaviour by removing an aversive stimulus
e.g., leaving for work early to avoid being stuck in traffic
- increasing a behaviour by removing an aversive stimulus
11
Q
OCD
A
- Obsessions
- Recurrent & persistent thoughts, images or urges that are experienced as intrusive and unwanted and cause marked anxiety or distress.
- Compulsions
Repetitive behaviours (e.g. hand washing, checking) or mental acts (e.g. praying, counting) that the person feels driven to perform in response to an obsession to reduce distress or preventing some dreaded event or situation.
12
Q
behavioural theory of OCD
A
- Two stage theory of the acquisition & maintenance of fear and avoidance behaviour (Mowrer, 1939; 1960).
- Stage 1 Acquisition – Thoughts, images, objects can acquire distressing properties through association e.g. an obsession is linked to distress e.g. thought of hurting an animal.
Stage 2 Maintenance – Avoidant, escape responses i.e. RITUALS develop because they decrease anxiety/distress and are maintained through negative reinforcement.
13
Q
behaviour therapy for OCD- exposure and response prevention
A
- Exposure (Expose people to obsessional stimuli)
- Response Prevention (prevent compulsions used to lessen distress associated with the obsessional stimuli
Repeated exposure to the obsessions while using strict response prevention leads to habituation
14
Q
main successes of the behavioural model of OCD
A
- Foundation for experimental investigation of OCD
- Provided some support for Mowrer’s Model (at least for the maintenance phase)
- Delineated between forms of compulsive behaviour
- Development of an effective therapy (ERP)
- Delineated between forms of compulsive behaviour
15
Q
limitations of the behavioural model of OCD
A
- Does not adequately explain the cognitive aspects of OCD
- Not all obsessions provoke anxiety/distress
- Compulsions can elevate anxiety
- Doesn’t differentiate between anxiety disorders
