Phobias and Behaviourist Approach

Question 1

What is the definition of phobias?

What categories of phobia does DSM recognise?

Answer 1

All phobias are characterised by excessive fear and anxiety, triggered by an object, place or situation,

• Specific phobia
• Social anxiety (social phobia)
• Agoraphobia (fear of being outside)

Question 2

What are the behavioural characteristics of phobias?

Answer 2

• A person may panic in response to a phobic stimulus. Panic involves, crying, screaming or running away. Children may react differently e.g freezing up or clinging
• Most people try to avoid coming in contact with their phobic stimulus unless they have made a conscious effort to face it. This can make it hard to go about their day to day life.
• The alternative of avoiding a phobic stimulus is enduring it, this is when a sufferer remains in the presence of their phobic stimulus but still experiences high levels of anxiety. This may be an unavoidable situation e.g flying.