behavioural approach: explaining and treating phobias

• What are phobias considered in mental health?

  Interesting mental health conditions
• Why is it difficult to imagine a phobia of buttons?

  Because one may not have that phobia
• What is the behaviorist approach to phobias?

  • Explains phobias through learned behavior
  • Involves classical and operant conditioning
  • Focuses on environmental interactions
• What are the two main types of conditioning discussed?

  Classical and operant conditioning
• What does the two process model suggest about phobias?

  Phobias are acquired through classical conditioning
• How are phobias maintained according to the two process model?

  Through operant conditioning and reinforcement
• What is acquisition in the context of phobias?

  Gaining phobias through classical conditioning
• What is a neutral stimulus in classical conditioning?

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

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

  It becomes a conditioned stimulus
• What is generalization in the context of phobias?

  Experiencing fear from similar stimuli
• How does avoidance behavior reinforce phobias?

  It reduces anxiety, strengthening the phobia
• Describe Laura's phobia of bees using the two process model.

  • Acquired through classical conditioning
  • Stung by a bee, leading to fear
  • Avoids bees, reinforcing her phobia
• What does the term "failing to function" refer to in phobias?

  Inability to engage in daily activities
• Who conducted the classic research on Little Albert?

  Watson and Rayner
• What was demonstrated 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?

  Most children had no negative experiences
• Why might the behaviorist approach not fully explain all phobias?

  Not all phobias stem from conditioning
• What is an evolutionary explanation for certain phobias?

  They relate to survival instincts of ancestors
• What are the therapies developed from the behaviorist approach?

  • Flooding
  • Systematic desensitization
  • Both aim to replace fear with relaxation
• What is the principle behind flooding therapy?

  Immediate exposure to the phobic stimulus
• What is the main goal of systematic desensitization?

  To replace fear with relaxation
• What is reciprocal inhibition in therapy?

  Fear and relaxation cannot occur simultaneously
• How does the anxiety hierarchy work in systematic desensitization?

  List of feared situations from least to most
• What is the final stage of systematic desensitization?

  Holding the phobic object without fear
• What is the expected outcome of flooding therapy?

  Client exhausts their fear response
• Why is it important that clients cannot escape during flooding therapy?

  To prevent reinforcing the phobia
• Compare systematic desensitization and flooding therapies.

  • Systematic desensitization: gradual exposure, client control
  • Flooding: immediate exposure, therapist control
  • Systematic desensitization is preferred by clients
• What is a limitation of both therapies in real-world application?

  Effectiveness may not generalize outside therapy
• Why might flooding not be suitable for all clients?

  It can be traumatic for certain individuals
• What are alternative treatments for phobias?

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

  Temporary solution with potential side effects
• What is virtual reality exposure therapy?

  Using VR to treat phobias through exposure
• What did Garcia Palacios find about VR exposure therapy?

  83% showed significant improvement
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