Psychopathology 2: Phobias Flashcards by George Hargreaves

What three questions about phobias could be asked in an exam?

-Characteristics
-Behavioural explanation
-Behavioural treatments

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

A phobia is described as what?

An anxiety disorder

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Whilst some fears are normal, a phobia is…

an irrational and extreme fear of an object,situation or activity, which is disproportionate to the danger

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Which percentage of people suffer from a phobia at some point?

10%

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What are the three main categories of phobias?

-Specific phobia
-Social Phobia
-Agoraphobia

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What is a specific phobia?

Any kind of anxiety disorder that amounts to unreasonable or irrational fear related to exposure to specific objects or situations

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What is a social phobia?

A long-lasting and overwhelming fear of social situations

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What is agoraphobia?

A fear of being in situations where escape might be difficult

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What are the three main types of symptoms of a phobia?

-Behavioural
-Emotional
-Cognitive

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What are two behavioural symptoms?

-Panic
-Avoidance

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What are two emotional symptoms?

-Emotional responses are unreasonable
-Anxiety and fear

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What are two Cognitive symptoms?

-Irrational beliefs about the phobic object
-Cognitive distortions

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Behavioural symptoms refer to the way people…

act

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Emotional symptoms refer to the way people…

feel

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Cognitive symptoms refer to the ways in which people…

think

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What is the main overall assumption of the behavioural approach?

That abnormality is learnt like normal behaviour, so we learn to have a phobia

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What is the behavioural explanation of phobias known as?

The two-process model

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Who suggest the two-process model?

Mowrer

What does the two-process model suggest?

That we acquire through classical conditioning and the phobia is maintained through operant conditioning

Which study can we use to explain step 1 of the two-process model?

Watson and Rayner study: Little Albert

What does the second stage of the two-process model involve?

Maintaining a phobia

What does the second stage of the two-process model suggest?

Classical conditioning effects decline over time- however, a phobia is long lasting

How is operant conditiong used in the second stage of the two-process model?

Negative reinforcement occurs because a person avoids the phobic object, which reduces their anxiety making them feel better.

What are the 5 evaluations of the behavioural explanation of phobias?

😍It is scientific
😍Led to development of systematic desensitisation
😞Evidence which contradicts
😞Reductionist
😞Better explanation takes into account both biology and environmental factors

Which study contradicts behavioural explanation of phobias?

Menzies and Clarke - Only 2% of children who have a phobia of water actually had a frightening experience with water in the past

What would be a better model for the behavioural explanation rather than the two-process model?

The diathesis stress model, which states that while biology may be pre-dispose someone to phobias, environmental factors must also be present.

What analogy is used for the diathesis stress model?

Biology loads the gun but the environment pulls the trigger, so a combo of nature and nurture

The behavioural approach believes that phobias are learnt, therefore can be...

Unlearnt

How does systematic desensitisation work?

By gradually introducing the patient to phobic content, by replacing fear and anxiety with relaxation.

What does the behavioural approach believe about anxiety and relaxation?

you cannot feel both at the same time, hence systematic desensitisation replaces anxiety with relaxation

How many stages are in systematic desensitisation?

What are the three steps of systematic desensitisation? (simplified)

-Consutruction of fear/anxiety hierarchy -Relaxation training -Gradually introduced to phobic object

What happens in the first step of systematic desensitization?

-The fear/anxiety hierarchy is made by the patient and therapist. -At the bottom of this hierarchy is what the patient would feel most comfortable with -At the top of this hierarchy is what would create the most fear -Inner stages gradually build fear

What happens in the second step of systematic desensitization?

-Client is provided with relaxation training -Learn to engage in deep muscle relaxation -Achieved through deep breathing

What happens in third stage of systematic desensitisation?

-Patient gradually explosed to phobic object/situation -Uses relaxation techniques -Cannot move up hierarchy until completely relaxed -Once top of hierarchy is reached treatment is complete

What are the evaluations of systematic desensitisation?

😍There is evidence to show effectiveness as a treatment 😍Systematic desensitisation requires little effort comparatively 😍Not as unethical as flooding 😞Treats symptoms but not cause

What does flooding involve?

Exposing the patient to the phobic object without a gradual build up

What does: In-vitro or In-vivo mean?

In-vitro: imagined exposure In-vivo: Actual exposure

Flooding leads to the prevention of...

avoidance

When is flooding done until?

The patient is calm and anxiety is receded

What lasts longer? flooding or SD?

Sessions last longer in flooding but flooding is only one session

How does flooding work?

It proves that the phobic object is harmless, or they become calm and relaxed around the object due to not being able to feel fear for prolonged periods of time

Flooding involves overcoming phobias through...

Counter-conditioning

What are the evaluations of flooding?

😍Cost effective 😞Not effective for all phobias 😞Traumatic for patients