phobias

• What are phobias considered in mental health?

  Interesting mental health conditions
• Why is it difficult to imagine phobias for those who don't have them?

  Because the range of objects is wide
• What approach will be discussed regarding phobias?

  Behaviorist approach
• What two concepts from behaviorism will be covered?

  Classical and operant conditioning
• What is the two process model in relation to phobias?

  Phobias are acquired and maintained
• How are phobias initially acquired according to the two process model?

  Through classical conditioning
• What does classical conditioning involve in the context of phobias?

  Learning through association
• What is a neutral stimulus in classical conditioning?

  A stimulus that initially causes no response
• What is an unconditioned stimulus?

  A stimulus that produces an unconditioned response
• What happens when a neutral stimulus is paired with an unconditioned stimulus?

  An association is formed
• What does a conditioned stimulus produce?

  A conditioned response of fear
• How can phobias be generalized?

  To stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus
• What is operant conditioning in the context of phobias?

  Learning through consequences of actions
• How does avoidance behavior affect phobias?

  It reinforces and strengthens the phobia
• What scenario illustrates the acquisition of a phobia?

  Laura's fear of bees after being stung
• What does the scenario of Laura demonstrate about phobias?

  Phobias can be learned through association
• How does avoidance behavior affect Laura's social life?

  It impacts her ability to engage socially
• What classic research is associated with the behaviorist approach to phobias?

  Little Albert study by Watson
• What did Watson demonstrate in the Little Albert study?

  Phobias can be acquired through association
• What did the study by Dinardo reveal about dog phobias?

  Conditioning events were common in both groups
• What did Mendes and Clark find regarding children's phobias of water?

  Only 2% recalled a negative experience
• What is a limitation of the behaviorist approach to phobias?

  It doesn't explain all phobias
• Why are some phobias more common than others?

  Due to evolutionary survival instincts
• What are effective therapies developed from the behaviorist approach?

  Flooding and systematic desensitization
• What principle do flooding and systematic desensitization share?

  Phobias are learned associations
• What is reciprocal inhibition in therapy?

  Fear and relaxation are opposite emotions
• What is an anxiety hierarchy?

  A list of feared situations with phobic object
• What is the final stage of systematic desensitization?

  Holding the phobic object without fear
• What does flooding involve in therapy?

  Immediate and full exposure to phobic stimulus
• Why is it important that clients cannot escape during flooding?

  To prevent reinforcing the phobia
• What is the main difference between flooding and systematic desensitization?

  How they help clients feel no fear
• What does systematic desensitization begin with?

  Teaching relaxation techniques
• What is a limitation of flooding therapy?

  It may not generalize to real-world situations
• What alternative treatment is mentioned for phobias?

  Drugs like benzodiazepines and antidepressants
• What is a drawback of drug treatments for phobias?

  Temporary nature and side effects
• What recent development has been adapted for phobia treatment?

  Virtual reality exposure therapy
• What did Garcia Palacitos find about VR exposure therapy?

  83% showed significant improvement
• What are the key components of the behaviorist approach to phobias?

  • Phobias are learned through interaction with the environment
  • Two process model: acquisition through classical conditioning
  • Maintenance through operant conditioning
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of systematic desensitization and flooding?

  Strengths:

  • Effective treatments for phobias
  • Client control in systematic desensitization

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • May not generalize to real-world situations
  • Flooding not suitable for all clients
• What are the limitations of drug treatments for phobias?

  • Temporary effects
  • Potential side effects
  • Not preferred by many sufferers