the behavioural approach - phobias

• according to this approach, we are born blank slates - tabula rasa. our actions are determined largely by our life experiences rather than underlying pathology or unconscious forces. in other words, all behaviour is learned and can be unlearned.
• a phobia may be defined as ‘a persistent and unreasonable fear of a particular object, activity, or situation’. this definition highlights that almost anything can become a phobia.
• the word ‘phobia’ comes from the greek phobus/phobos, who was the god of fear
• phobias are extreme fears, which are disproportionate to the actual danger, and lead to avoidance of the object or situation
• emotional characteristics - marked and persistent fear of a particular object or situation that is excessive or unreasonable. anxiety and fear are emotions cued by the presence or anticipation and are out of proportion to the danger posed
• behavioural characteristics - avoidance of the fear, fight or flight or freeze (freeze adaptive as predator may think prey is dead). avoidance significantly interferes with normal routine / jobs / activities / relationships. marked distress.
• cognitive characteristics - irrational thinking and resistance to rational arguments. recognition that fear is excessive / unreasonable (possibly not in children) - different to delusional disorders where sufferers are unaware about being unreasonable