Lesson 5 - Phobias: Behavioural, Emotional & Cognitive Characteristics Of Phobias

Question 1

What are the 4 behavioural characteristics of phobias (action)?

Answer 1

1) avoidance - when faced with the phobic object, avoid object or situation or potential places

2) endurance (freeze/faint) - freezing so predator might think person is dead or freeze

3) disruption of functioning - anxiety could be so extreme that may interfere with ability to function socially

4) panic - crying, running away, screaming

Question 2

What are the 3 emotional characteristics of phobias (feelings)?

Answer 2

1) fear - feelings of terror & worry about death if come in contact with phobic object

2) panic & anxiety - feel highly anxious & experience unpleasant negative feelings: worry

3) emotions - strong emotions cued by phobic object; exaggerated: screaming when seeing small spider miles away

Question 3

What are the 4 cognitive characteristics of phobias (thinking)?

Answer 3

1) irrational - resist rational arguments to counter phobia

2) insight - knows their fear is excessive/unreasonable but difficult to not fear it

3) cognitive distortions - distorted perception of stimulus

4) selective attention - cannot look away from phobia & focuses all attention on it; ignore everything else