Cognitive

• What does the cognitive element focus on?

  How people process information
• How do people with phobias process information differently?

  They process phobic stimuli differently than other stimuli
• What happens to a person with pogonophobia when they see a bearded person?

  They struggle to concentrate on other tasks
• Why is selective attention to a phobic stimulus sometimes beneficial?

  It helps react quickly to real threats
• What are irrational beliefs in relation to phobias?

  Unfounded thoughts about phobic stimuli
• How might social phobias manifest in beliefs?

  Beliefs like 'I must always sound intelligent'
• What effect do irrational beliefs have on a person with a phobia?

  They increase pressure to perform well socially
• What are cognitive distortions in phobias?

  Inaccurate and unrealistic perceptions of stimuli
• How might mycophobia affect someone's view of mushrooms?

  They see mushrooms as disgusting