Phobias

Question 1

what are the behavioural characteristics of phobias?

Answer 1

1. panic
2. avoidance
3. endurance

Question 2

what are the cognitive characteristics of phobias?

Answer 2

1. selective attention
2. irrational beliefs
3. cognitive distortions

Question 3

what is the behavioural explanation for phobias?

Answer 3

The two process model.

Question 4

who made the two process model?

Answer 4

Mowrer

Question 5

what was the two process model?

Answer 5

an explanation of how phobias are made and maintained through classical and operant conditioning.

Classical conditioning - initially getting the phobia
operant conditioning - maintaining the phobia

Question 6

how does classical conditioning work in phobias being initiated?

Answer 6

By associating a neutral stimulus with a negative experience

Question 7

how does operant conditioning work in phobias being maintained?

Answer 7

With avoidance behaviour, when they avoid the stimulus the anxiety is reduced.

Question 8

what is one example of the two process model?

Answer 8

Little Albert

he played with a rat (NS), heard a loud noise (UCS), then rat (CS) produces a fear response (CR)

Question 9

what is one strength of the two process model?

Answer 9

1. real world application in exposure therapies, people benefit from being exposed to their phobia stimulus because they can not avoid it and maintain the phobia, highlights the importance of the two process model in treating phobias.
2. there is evidence for a link between bad experiences and phobias, the Little Albert study, this confirms that the association between stimulus and an unconditioned response does lead to a phobia.

Question 10

what is one weakness of the two process model?

Answer 10

1. it does not account for the cognitive aspects of phobias, the two process model explains the avoidance, but not how and why we believe irrational thoughts about the stimulus, this means it is reductionist and does not explain the symptoms of phobias.

Question 11

what does systematic desensitisation involve?

Answer 11

1. anxiety hierarchy
2. relaxation
3. exposure

Question 12

what is reciprocal inhibition?

Answer 12

the idea that anxiety and relaxation can both not be present at the same time.

Question 13

what are the strengths of systematic desensitisation?

Answer 13

1. there is evidence for its effectiveness, Gilroy found it was more effective than just relaxation after 33 months, and Wechsler concluded that SD was good for specific phobias, social phobias, and agoraphobia, this means SD is likely to be helpful in treatments.
2. it is good with people with learning disabilities, CBT and flooding involve a lot of complex thought difficult for those with learning disabilities, it is helpful for a wide range of people.

Question 14

what is flooding?

Answer 14

exposure to the phobia stimulus without gradual increase.

Question 15

how does flooding work?

Answer 15

extinction, of the condition response.

Question 16

what are the ethical guidelines of flooding?

Answer 16

participants must give informed consent, usually on a consent form.

Question 17

what is one strength of flooding?

Answer 17

1. it is cost effective, something is deemed clinically effective if it works and is cost effective, flooding usually only takes 2-3 sessions and so is cost-effective. this means more people can be treated.

Question 18

what is one weakness of flooding?

Answer 18

1. it is highly unpleasant, Schumacher found that there were higher attrition rates within flooding and people usually rated it much more stressful than SD. this is a weakness because therapist may avoid using this treatment because of the trauma.