Saavedra and Silverman (issues and debates)

Question 1

What would be a nature explanation for the study?the characteristics we are born with or develop out of the natural maturation process.

Answer 1

• It can be assumed that the other children in the class did not develop such a phobia. Thus the boy may naturally be more susceptible to developing phobias and may have a genetic predisposition to anxiety related disorders or phobia development
• Result = Interview (qualitative data)

Question 2

What would be a nurture explanation for the study?the characteristics we develop as a result of learning.

Answer 2

• The boy acquired his phobia after a distressing event involving buttons at age 5. The boy most likely made an association with the neutral stimulus of buttons with an unconditioned response such as fear. Thus the phobia was learnt through classical conditioning so this would be a learnt behaviour
• The learning that occured through the therapies was based on classical and operant conditioning managed to reduced his fear and disgust.
• Results- 6 and 12 month

Question 3

What would be a situational explanation for this study?

Answer 3

• It was likely the traumatic situation of dropping a bowl of buttons that led to the development of a phobia.
• This situation triggered an intense fear response resulting in behavioural changes like avoidance, fear and distress.
• Result = Interview (qualitative data)

Question 4

What would be an indiviudal explanation for this study?

Answer 4

• Personality differences may mean that some people may be more sensitive or more likely to be upset/fearful
  by being embarrassed by a social situation)
• Result- postive reinforcement therapy (sessions 2, 3)

Question 5

Evaluate the ethics of the study in terms of:
1. Informed consent
2. Privacy
3. Confidentiality

Answer 5

• Informed consent: Both the mother and the boy were asked for consent before the therapy begun and agreed to having results published. They knew what the therapy would involve.
• Privacy: The child had to reveal what buttons he was scared of and may have felt embrassed whilst doing this.
• Confidentiality: We don’t know the name of the ppts, just that he was part of a Child Anxiety Programme in Folirda

Question 6

Evaluate the ethics of the study in terms of: protection from harm

Answer 6

• The study could have been distressing to the ppt as it involved real and imagined exposure to the feared stimulus. And a discussion of the causes and effects of his phobia. Which may have been distressing.

Question 7

Name a few ways this study can be applied to everyday life

Answer 7

• The boys digust for buttons was measured using a feelings thermometer. Which can perhaps be used in schools with students who show fear and help understand what is causing this fear in the child.
• A therapist may need to investigate a situation where the person first came into contact with the phobic stimuli to find the cause
• Therapies involving a parent may reuslt in faster postive outcomes
• Therpaies based on classical conditioning/ operant can be used to treat some phobias (long term effects)