psychopathology : phobias Flashcards
Outline 2 behavioural Characteristics of Phobias
panic e.g. screaming, running away
avoidance e.g. removing yourself
Outline 2 emotional Characteristics of Phobias
excessive anxiety e.g. general uneasiness
excessive fear e.g. immediate shock
Outline 2 cognitive characteristics of Phobias
selective attention to the phobic stimulus e.g. they are unlikely to concentrate on anything else
irrational beliefs e.g out of proportion and not logical
Explain how a phobia can be acquired through Classical conditioning using key terms: UCS, UCR, NS, CS, CR
the ucs = trauma and the ucr = thought of harm, this then turns into the cr = fear which a person will check their behaviour and potentially have reduced fear through classical conditioning, however this can result in negative reinforcement
Explain how a phobia can be maintained through operant conditioning (both positive and negative reinforcement)
Positive Reinforcement:
When someone avoids what they fear (like spiders), they feel relief. This relief makes them more likely to avoid spiders again in the future because they feel better when they do.
Negative Reinforcement:
If someone escapes or avoids what they fear (like leaving a social event because of social anxiety), they feel less scared. This makes them more likely to escape or avoid similar situations in the future because it stops them from feeling scared.
Explain how ‘generalisation’ might be applied to phobias: stimulus and response
Stimulus Generalization:
If someone is scared of one thing, they might also get scared of similar things
Response Generalization:
Fear can also spread to different situations or behaviours.
ao3: How does the Little Albert Case study support the two-process model?
little Albert was classically conditioned to associate a rat with a loud noise (fear) - the study was repeated so he maintained the fear of the rat. this gives the two-process model scientific evidence which means it can be a credible explanation.
ao3: How does the success of systematic desensitisation e.g, support the explanation?
by showing how exposure to gradually increasing levels of feared stimuli can reduce fear responses not only to the specific phobia trigger but also to similar stimuli and situations. this supports the explanation as it demonstrates the effectiveness of systematic desensitisation.
ao3: What types of phobia are not explained with the behavioural approach and why?
complex phobias- Phobias stemming from trauma, existential fears, or obsessive-compulsive tendencies involve intricate psychological processes beyond simple learning.
spiritual phobias- Phobias related to existential or spiritual fears involve complex philosophical and existential dimensions not fully accounted for by behavioural theories.
OCD related phobias- Phobias that are part of OCD often involve intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviours (compulsions) rather than straightforward fear responses.
ao3: Why might SLT be a better explanation for some phobias?
SLT might be a better explanation for some phobias because it considers:
Observational learning: People can learn fear by watching others.
Modelling: Individuals may imitate fear behaviours they see in others.
Cognitive processes: Phobias involve thinking patterns like attention and memory.
Vicarious learning: Fear can be learned indirectly through others’ experiences.
Social factors: Family, peers, culture, and media influence fear learning.
Behavioural Approach to Treating Phobias:
Describe how systematic desensitisation is carried out:
- Relaxation training, Formation of anxiety hierarchy, Stepped approach/gradual exposure, reciprocal inhibition
SD is a behavioural therapy designed to reduce anxiety towards phobias gradually through classical conditioning, it has 3 steps:
- anxiety hierarchy - the client + therapist list situations related to phobic stimulus that provokes anxiety
- relaxation - uses principle of reciprocal inhabitation where the patient is taught to relax while in thinking of phobic stimuli
- exposure - the patient is then exposed to the phobic stimulus while going up the anxiety hierarchy whilst in a relaxed state
Behavioural Approach to Treating Phobias: Explain how it works e.g. through classical conditioning
Neutral Stimulus (Phobia Trigger) -> Fear
↓
Exposure + Relaxation
↓
Conditioning
↓
Neutral Stimulus (Phobia Trigger) + Relaxation -> Less Fear
Behavioural Approach to Treating Phobias: What did Gilroy et al (2003) find to support the effectiveness of Systematic desensitisation? A03
followed 42 people with arachnophobia who attended 3 45 minute sessions of SD, found that the SD group ere less fearful than a control group of people who had not attended any sessions, this proves that SD is effective and can be applied to real life scenarios
Behavioural Approach to Treating Phobias: What types of phobia is SD less effective for? A03
Complex Phobias
Biologically-Based Phobias
OCD related phobias
Phobias with Limited Access to Exposure
Behavioural Approach to Treating Phobias: Describe how flooding works
the therapist conducts an assessment to identify the specific phobia and determine the intensity of the fear response.
The therapist prepares the individual for the flooding session by providing education about the therapy and discussing coping strategies to manage anxiety during exposure
The individual is exposed to the feared stimulus or situation at its maximum intensity, without any gradual buildup or hierarchy for prolonged periods of time until the fear disappears.
Successful completion of the exposure session is reinforced through positive feedback and encouragement from the therapist
