psychopathology - phobias Flashcards
what is a phobia?
an anxiety disorder that interferes with daily living. it is an instance of irrational fear that produces a conscious avoidance of the feared object or situation
what are the three categories of phobias?
DSM-5=
specific phobias, events, spiders, etc
social phobias, social situations
agoraphobia, crowded public spaces
what are the characteristics of a phobia?
behavioural, emotional, cognitive
what are behavioural characteristics of phobias?
ways in which people act.
panic- panic in response to the phobic stimulus, crying, etc
avoidance- make an effort to prevent their fear by preventing contact with the phobic stimulus
endurance- when a person chooses to remain in the presence of the phobic stimulus
what are emotional characteristics of phobias?
related to emotions or feelings.
anxiety- unpleasant state of high arousal, prevents relaxing and positive emotion
fear- immediate and unpleasant
emotional response is unreasonable- anxiety/fear is much greater than usual
what are cognitive characteristics of phobias?
refers to process of thinking+reasoning
selective attention to the phobic stimulus- it is hard to look away from the phobic stimulus
irrational beliefs- a person with a phobia may hold unfounded thoughts in relation to phobic stimulus
cognitive distortions- perceptions of a person with a phobia may be inaccurate and unrealistic
what is the two process model?
classical conditioning explains how a phobia is acquired, operant conditioning explains how a phobia is maintained
how is a phobia acquired by classical conditioning?
UCS = UCR
NS = NR
UCS + NS = UCR
CS = CR
how is a phobia maintained by operant conditioning?
(Mowrer) negative reinforcement is when an individual avoids an unpleasant situation leading to a desirable consequence. When we successfully escape unpleasant feelings of fear and anxiety by avoiding phobic stimulus, this reinforces the behaviour and fear is maintained
what is one strength of the two process model?
real world application
phobias are maintained by the avoidance of the phobic stimulus
exposure therapies prevent the avoidance of the phobic stimulus which means phobias can be treated.
shows that exposure therapies are a valid way to treat phobias
what is one limitation of the two process model?
does not account for cognitive aspects of phobias.
phobias are not simply avoidance responses as people can hold irrational beliefs about the phobic stimulus.
this means it does not offer an adequate explanation for phobias
shows it does not completely explain the symptoms of phobias
what is another strength of the two process model?
evidence for the link between phobias and traumatic experiences.
Ad De Jongh (2006) found 73% of people who had a fear of the dentist had had a traumatic experience
this confirms that the association between the stimulus and unconditioned response does lead to the development of the phobia
shows traumatic experiences can develop fears
what is a counterpoint to Ad De Jongh(2006)?
not all phobias appear following a bad experience.
this means the association between phobias and traumatic experiences is not as strong as we would expect if behavioural theories provided a complete explanation.
shows traumatic experiences as an explanation as phobias is not as strong
what is another limitation of phobias?
nature vs nurture
Seligman suggests we have a biological preparedness to fear things that could cause us harm
means we have a higher probability to have a fear of heights or snakes
shows phobias are more biological than based on experience
what are two ways of treating phobias?
systematic desensitisation or flooding
what is systematic desensitisation?
introduces the feared stimulus gradually. gradually reduces the phobic anxiety through classical conditioning, as if the person can learn to relax in the presence of the phobic stimulus, they will be cured
what is the process of systematic desensitisation?
anxiety hierarchy- list of situations related to the phobic stimulus that provoke anxiety in order from least to most frightening
reciprocal inhibition- it is impossible to be both relaxed and afraid at the same time so client relaxes.
exposure- the client is exposed to the phobic stimulus in a relaxed state, climbing up the anxiety hierarchy until they experience no anxiety at the current level
what is counter conditioning?
a new response to the phobic stimulus is learned as the phobic stimulus is paired with relaxation instead of anxiety
what is a strength of systematic desensitisation?
evidence of effectiveness by Gilroy
followed up 42 people who had systematic desensitisation in three 45 minute sessions
at both 3 and 33 months, the SD group were less fearful than the control group
shows there is real world application
what is a limitation of systematic desensitisation?
time consuming
it often needs many sessions to gradually expose the client to the phobic stimulus and climb up the anxiety hierarchy.
shows it is not a fast treatment to phobias and it can also be expensive
what is another strength of systematic desensitisation?
for people with learning disabilities, it is the only sensitive treatment available
people with disabilities may struggle with cognitive therapies that require rational thought
means its less distressing and confusing than therapy.
shows it is more ethical
what is flooding?
involves immediate exposure of the phobia without the build up of the anxiety hierarchy, quicker as there is no avoidance
how does flooding work?
the client learns that the phobic stimulus is not harmful, so extinction of the phobia, as the conditioned stimulus is encountered without producing the conditioned response of fear
what is a strength of flooding?
cost effective
people can be treated in fewer sessions as there is immediate exposure to the phobic stimulus
means people can be treated quicker with flooding than systematic desensitisation
shows it is cheaper
