The behavioural, emotional and cognitive characteristics of phobias, depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder Flashcards
Which approach looks at phobias?
The behavioural approach
What are the 3 types of characteristics?
Behavioural (actions)
Emotional (feelings)
Cognitive (information processing)
What are the 2 behavioural characteristics of phobias?
Panic - involves a range of behaviours e.g. crying, screaming or running away
Avoidance - go out of their way to avoid coming into contact with the stimulus e.g. taking a different route to avoid a dog, which can interfere with their life
What are the 2 emotional characteristics of phobias?
Anxiety and fear - anxiety is an unpleasant state of high arousal. It prevents us relaxing and makes it difficult to experience positive emotion. Fear is the immediate and unpleasant response when we encounter or think about the phobic stimulus.
Emotional responses are unreasonable - emotional responses are wildly disproportionate to the danger posed by the phobic stimulus.
What are the 2 cognitive characteristics of phobias?
Selective attention - if the stimulus can be seen, we find it very difficult to focus on anything else and can struggle to concentrate on anything else.
Irrational beliefs - beliefs about the stimulus not rational i.e. not keeping with reality e.g. social phobics may think they “must always sound intelligent.”
Which approach looks at depression?
The Cognitive approach
What are the 3 behavioural characteristics of depression?
Activity levels - reduced levels of energy i.e. lethargic. May withdraw from work, social life etc. as a result. Could be opposite - psychomotor agitation - struggle to relax and so pace up and down.
Changes to sleep - reduced sleep = insomnia / increased sleep = hypersomnia
Aggression and self harm - can become verbally or physically aggressive due to irritation. this aggression could be directed inwards towards self.
What are the 2 emotional characteristics of depression?
Lowered mood - more pronounced mood than just sadness e.g. may feel worthless and empty.
Lowered self-esteem - those with depression can become self-loathing/hate themselves.
What are the 3 cognitive characteristics of depression?
Poor concentration - cannot stick with a task they normally would, or find usually straightforward decisions hard
Attention to and dwelling on the negative - pay more attention to negatives and ignore positives. Recall unhappy past events
Absolutists thinking - have black and white thinking
Which approach looks at OCD?
Biological
What are the behavioural characteristics of OCD?
- Compulsive behaviour (behaviours we feel we need to do). 2 aspects: they are repetitive and they reduce anxiety
- avoidance : try to reduce anxiety by keeping away from situations that trigger it
What are the emotional characteristics of OCD?
- Anxiety and distress : obsessive thoughts can be overwhelming + lead to anxiety / the urge to repeat a behaviour (compulsion) creates anxiety too.
- Depression : low mood and lack of enjoyment of activities
- Guilt and disgust : can be directed inwards or outwards
What are the cognitive characteristics of OCD?
- Obsessive thoughts : thoughts that recur over and over again e.g. being contaminated by germs
- Excessive thoughts - Catastrophic thoughts about the worst case scenarios that may happen
- Hyper vigilant - maintain constant alertness and keep attention focused on potential hazards.
