Psychopathology - phobias Flashcards
What is a phobia?
An irrational fear of an object or situation
What are the 3 behavioural characteristics of a phobia
Panic
Avoidance
Endurance
Explain panic as a behavioural characteristics of phobias
A person with a phobia may panic in response to the presence of the phobic stimulus
May involve a range of behaviours including crying, screaming or running away
Explain avoidance as a behavioural characteristic of phobias
Considerable effort to prevent contact with the phobic stimulus
This can make it hard to go about everyday life
Explain endurance as a behavioural characteristic of phobias
The person chooses to remain in the presence of the phobic stimulus and continuing to experience anxiety
What are the 3 emotional characteristics of phobias
Anxiety
Fear
Emotional response is unreasonable
Explain anxiety as an emotional characteristic of phobias
An unpleasant state of high arousal
Prevents an individual relaxing and makes it very difficult to experience positive emotion
Explain fear as an emotional characteristic of phobias
The immediate response we experience when we encounter or think about a phobic stimulus
Explain emotional response is unreasonable as an emotional characteristic of phobias
The anxiety or fear is much greater than ‘normal’ and disproportionate to any threat posed
What are the 3 cognitive characteristics of phobias
Selective attention to the phobic stimulus
Irrational beliefs
Cognitive distortions
Explain selective attention to the phobic stimulus as a cognitive characteristic
A person with a phobia finds it hard to look away from the phobic stimulus
Explain irrational beliefs as a cognitive characteristic
A person with a phobia may hold unfounded thoughts in relation to phobic stimuli
e.g if i blush people will think i am weak
Explain cognitive distortions as a cognitive characteristic
The perceptions of a person with a phobia may be inaccurate and unrealistic
