explaining phobias: behavioural approach

• Key assumptions:

  1. abnormal behaviour is learnt like any other behaviour
  2. the same laws apply to human and non-human animals
  3. behaviour is determined by the environment
• Behavioural characteristics of phobias:

  1. panic - crying, screaming, running away, freezing
  2. avoidance - effort is made to avoid coming into contact with the phobic stimulus
• Emotional characteristics of phobias:

  1. anxiety - an unpleasant state of high arousal, which prevents the sufferer from relaxing and experiencing pleasant emotions. It can arise from the presence or anticipation of the phobic stimulus. This response is disproportionate to the danger posed.
• Cognitive characteristics of phobias:

  1. irrational beliefs - the sufferer cannot be persuaded by rational argument that their fear is unfounded
  2. cognitive distortions - the perception of the phobia may be distorted
  3. selective attention - the sufferer cannot move their attention from the phobic object/situation.