phobias

Question 1

behavioural characteristics of phobias

Answer 1

avoidance
panic
endurance

Question 2

emotional characteristics of phobias

Answer 2

anxiety
fear
unreasonable emotions

Question 3

cognitive characteristics of phobias

Answer 3

selective attention
irrational beliefs
cognitive distortions

Question 4

What is the behavioural explanation for phobias?

Answer 4

The two-process model (Mowrer):
Classical conditioning= phobia learned
Operant conditioning = phobia maintained through negative reinforcement

Question 5

what is systematic desensitisation?

Answer 5

A behavioural therapy that reduces phobic anxiety by gradual exposure using a fear hierarchy with relaxation techniques- based on the principle of reciprocal inhibition.

Question 6

what is flooding?

Answer 6

attempts to counter-condition phobia by immediate and intense exposure to phobic stimulus with no escape. exhaustion of fear response leads to extinction.

Question 7

strength- real world application

Answer 7

has led to behavioural therapies such as exposure therapy, which helps reduce anxiety overtime- breaking cycle of avoidance= practical examples

Question 8

weakness- unethical treatments

Answer 8

Although flooding is effective for treating phobias, it can be highly distressing for patients. The intense exposure may cause psychological harm, especially if the patient is unprepared. This raises ethical concerns about informed consent and the potential risk to well-being during treatment.

Question 9

weakness- limited effectiveness

Answer 9

may only be within controlled environment, not real life; person may get over fear of birds with a tame bird in therapy but phobia may return when they face wild birds irl

Question 10

strength- research support for SD

Answer 10

Garcia Palacios found 83% ppts treated with exposure to spiders showed significant improvement compared to 0% for control group= SD is valid