Phobias

• What are phobias?


  Uncontrollable, irrational, and extreme reactions to an object or situation that are out of proportion to actual risk.
• Are phobias more common in men or women?


  They are more common in women than men.
• What type of disorder are phobias classified as?


  Phobias are classified as a type of anxiety disorder.
• What are the key features of phobic disorder?


  The reaction is excessive, causes great distress, interferes with normal life, and persists for at least 6 months.
• What are the three types of phobias?

  1. Specific phobias (e.g. birds, spiders, flying)
  2. Social phobias (fear of situations involving other people)
  3. Agoraphobia (fear of open or public places)
• What are the characteristics of phobias?


  • Emotional: Persistent fear and anxiety, unreasonable emotional responses
  • Behavioural: Avoidant responses, disruption of life, panic
  • Cognitive: Selective attention, recognition of irrational belief, cognitive distortions
• How does the behaviourist approach explain phobias?


  It explains phobias via the TWO PROCESS MODEL, suggesting they are acquired through classical conditioning and maintained through operant conditioning.
• What is the first step in the acquisition of phobias according to the two process model?


  Acquisition occurs through classical conditioning.
• What is the example given for the acquisition of phobias?

  A plane crash (UCS) leads to fear (UCR), which becomes associated with the aeroplane (CS).
• How does avoidance contribute to the maintenance of phobias?


  Avoidance of the feared stimulus reduces anxiety and fear, reinforcing the phobia through negative reinforcement.
• What research supports the two process model of phobias?


  Mowrer (1960) found that rats developed a fear response to a buzzer after it was paired with an electric shock.
• What is a limitation of the two process model regarding traumatic experiences?


  Not every person who experiences a traumatic event develops a phobia, as shown by DiNardo et al. (1988).
• What contradictory research challenges the two process model?


  Menzies and Clarke (1993) found that only 2% of individuals with water phobia reported a direct unpleasant experience with water.
• What alternative explanation for phobias does Seligman propose?


  Seligman argues for biological preparedness, an innate predisposition to acquire certain fears.
• What are the two main therapies for treating phobias?

  • Systematic desensitisation
  • Flooding
• What is the rationale behind systematic desensitisation?


  If phobias can be learned through classical conditioning, they can also be unlearned.
• What is the aim of systematic desensitisation?


  To extinguish an undesirable response (fear) by replacing it with a more desirable one (relaxation).
• What is reciprocal inhibition in the context of systematic desensitisation?


  It is the idea that we cannot feel two conflicting emotions at the same time.
• What did Wolpe's research demonstrate about systematic desensitisation?


  Wolpe showed that cats could unlearn fear of a box by being gradually exposed to it while being fed.
• What are the stages of systematic desensitisation?


  1. Hierarchy: Create a fear hierarchy from least to most frightening.
  2. Relaxation: Learn relaxation techniques.
  3. Exposure: Work through the hierarchy using relaxation techniques.

  • Techniques include visualisation, actual exposure, VR, modelling, role play.
• What is flooding in the context of phobia treatment?

  Flooding is immediate exposure to the feared object or situation until anxiety reduces.
• How long can a flooding session last?

  Flooding sessions may last 2-3 hours until the client's anxiety is lower.
• What is a positive evaluation of systematic desensitisation?


  McGrath found about a 75% effectiveness for specific phobias.
• What did Gilroy's research find about the long-term effects of systematic desensitisation?


  Gilroy found that patients remained less fearful of spiders 3 and 33 months after treatment.
• What did Craske et al. conclude about the effectiveness of flooding and systematic desensitisation?


  Craske et al. concluded that flooding and systematic desensitisation were equally effective.
• Why might systematic desensitisation be preferred over flooding by patients?


  Systematic desensitisation is less anxiety-inducing as it builds up to the fear gradually.
• What is a potential advantage of flooding compared to systematic desensitisation?


  Flooding is quicker and less expensive as it requires fewer sessions.