Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is a defining characteristic of a phobia?
What is a defining characteristic of a phobia?
- Persistent fear out of proportion to danger (correct)
- No recognition of the fear
- Temporary anxiety
- Rational fear response
Agoraphobia is characterized by anxiety in situations that can be easily exited.
Agoraphobia is characterized by anxiety in situations that can be easily exited.
False (B)
What is Mowrer's two-process model used to explain?
What is Mowrer's two-process model used to explain?
The acquisition and maintenance of phobias
Phobias can be categorized into three types: specific, social, and __________.
Phobias can be categorized into three types: specific, social, and __________.
Match the phobia type with an example:
Match the phobia type with an example:
Which of the following is NOT a symptom of phobias?
Which of the following is NOT a symptom of phobias?
Classical conditioning involves the association of a neutral stimulus with a fear response.
Classical conditioning involves the association of a neutral stimulus with a fear response.
In the Little Albert experiment, what was used as the unconditioned stimulus (UCS)?
In the Little Albert experiment, what was used as the unconditioned stimulus (UCS)?
The behavior of avoiding the phobic object provides __________ reinforcement.
The behavior of avoiding the phobic object provides __________ reinforcement.
What is the primary response of a phobic person when confronted with their phobia?
What is the primary response of a phobic person when confronted with their phobia?
What is the unconditioned stimulus that contributed to Jo's phobia of flying?
What is the unconditioned stimulus that contributed to Jo's phobia of flying?
Operant conditioning helps explain how Jo's phobia of flying is maintained.
Operant conditioning helps explain how Jo's phobia of flying is maintained.
What term describes Jo's fear of flying?
What term describes Jo's fear of flying?
In the two-process model, the pairing of an unconditioned stimulus with a neutral stimulus leads to a __________ response.
In the two-process model, the pairing of an unconditioned stimulus with a neutral stimulus leads to a __________ response.
Match the following components of conditioning with their definitions:
Match the following components of conditioning with their definitions:
According to Martin Seligman, why might some phobias be more common than others?
According to Martin Seligman, why might some phobias be more common than others?
Everyone who suffers from a phobia has experienced a triggering event.
Everyone who suffers from a phobia has experienced a triggering event.
What technique did Wolpe introduce for treating phobias?
What technique did Wolpe introduce for treating phobias?
Reciprocal inhibition occurs because one cannot be in a state of __________ and fear at the same time.
Reciprocal inhibition occurs because one cannot be in a state of __________ and fear at the same time.
The behavioral approach primarily focuses on which of the following in understanding phobias?
The behavioral approach primarily focuses on which of the following in understanding phobias?
What is the primary goal of flooding therapy?
What is the primary goal of flooding therapy?
In vivo exposure is considered less effective than in vitro exposure for treating phobias.
In vivo exposure is considered less effective than in vitro exposure for treating phobias.
What does the principle of extinction pertain to in the context of flooding therapy?
What does the principle of extinction pertain to in the context of flooding therapy?
In behavioral therapies, the effectiveness of treatment relies heavily on the individual's level of ______.
In behavioral therapies, the effectiveness of treatment relies heavily on the individual's level of ______.
Match the therapy techniques with their characteristics:
Match the therapy techniques with their characteristics:
Which therapy is less effective according to research findings?
Which therapy is less effective according to research findings?
The side effects of flooding therapy are reported to be high.
The side effects of flooding therapy are reported to be high.
Name one alternative treatment for phobias other than behavioral therapy.
Name one alternative treatment for phobias other than behavioral therapy.
Behavioral therapies are most effective when the source of the phobia can be ______.
Behavioral therapies are most effective when the source of the phobia can be ______.
What is a critical component to the success of the flooding therapy sessions?
What is a critical component to the success of the flooding therapy sessions?
Flashcards
Classical Conditioning
Classical Conditioning
Learning through association, where a neutral stimulus becomes paired with a conditioned stimulus, leading to a conditioned response.
Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS)
Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS)
A stimulus that naturally triggers a response without prior learning.
Unconditioned Response (UCR)
Unconditioned Response (UCR)
The natural and automatic response to an unconditioned stimulus.
Neutral Stimulus (NS)
Neutral Stimulus (NS)
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Conditioned Stimulus (CS)
Conditioned Stimulus (CS)
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Conditioned Response (CR)
Conditioned Response (CR)
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Operant Conditioning
Operant Conditioning
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Negative Reinforcement
Negative Reinforcement
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Preparedness
Preparedness
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Systematic Desensitization
Systematic Desensitization
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Phobia
Phobia
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Phobic Response
Phobic Response
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What is the prevalence of phobias in the UK?
What is the prevalence of phobias in the UK?
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What are the defining characteristics of phobias?
What are the defining characteristics of phobias?
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Specific phobia
Specific phobia
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Social phobia
Social phobia
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Agoraphobia
Agoraphobia
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Mowrer's Two-Process Model
Mowrer's Two-Process Model
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Flooding
Flooding
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In vivo exposure
In vivo exposure
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In vitro exposure
In vitro exposure
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Extinction (Flooding)
Extinction (Flooding)
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Counterconditioning
Counterconditioning
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Evaluation of Flooding
Evaluation of Flooding
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Implosion Therapy
Implosion Therapy
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Biological Treatments
Biological Treatments
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Comparison of Therapies
Comparison of Therapies
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Study Notes
Phobias
- Phobia is an irrational and fearful anxiety response to specific objects or situations.
- Everyone experiences fear in threatening situations, but a phobic person's fear is disproportionately extreme to the actual danger.
- Phobic individuals recognize their fear is unreasonable and beyond their control.
- Approximately 5-10% of the UK population experiences some form of phobia.
Defining Characteristics of Phobias
- Feelings of restlessness and dread
- Irrational thoughts about the phobic object
- Physical symptoms like shortness of breath, nausea, shaking, and palpitations
- Panic attacks and fleeing from the phobic object
- Extreme anxiety or fear when encountering the phobic object
- Persistent fear
- Immediate avoidance behavior
- Freezing or fainting as a response to the feared object/situation (linked to fight or flight), potentially as an adaptive response to a predator perceiving prey as dead
- Irrational thinking and resistance to logic/rational arguments
- Awareness that the fear is excessive or unreasonable.
Types of Phobias
- Specific phobias: Fear of animals (e.g., snakes), natural environments (e.g., heights), blood-injection, or situational triggers (e.g., planes).
- Social phobias: Excessive anxiety in social situations like restaurants or meetings.
- Agoraphobia: Anxiety in situations where escape might be difficult or embarrassing, like crowds or open spaces.
Behavioral Explanations of Phobias
- Mowrer's two-process model: This model combines two processes to explain phobia development and maintenance.
- Classical conditioning: This explains the acquisition of phobias by associating a neutral stimulus (e.g., a plane ride) with a scary or traumatic event (e.g., turbulence). This creates a fear response linked to the neutral stimulus.
- Neutral stimulus (NS) + Unconditioned stimulus (UCS) (causing an unconditioned response) = Unconditioned response (UCR), eventually Conditioned stimulus (CS) = Conditioned response (CR)
- Operant conditioning: This explains how phobic avoidance behaviors are maintained. Avoiding the phobic object/situation reduces anxiety, making this avoidance rewarding and reinforcing the phobia.
- Classical conditioning: This explains the acquisition of phobias by associating a neutral stimulus (e.g., a plane ride) with a scary or traumatic event (e.g., turbulence). This creates a fear response linked to the neutral stimulus.
Little Albert Experiment
- Watson and Raynor (1920) conducted the Little Albert experiment demonstrating classical conditioning in the development of phobias.
Evaluation of Behavioral Explanations
- There is empirical support for behavioral explanations, suggesting fear responses can be conditioned.
- Not all phobias stem from a specific traumatic "triggering event."
- Behavioral explanations might not consider how cognitive factors and irrational thinking contribute to phobias.
Treating Phobias - Behavioral Approach
- Systematic desensitization: A technique to reduce fear responses by gradually exposing the individual to the feared object or situation while relaxing.
- Steps involve teaching relaxation techniques, creating a hierarchy of fear, progressive exposure to the feared object, and associating each step with relaxation.
- Flooding: Implosive therapy, a method where the individual confronts their fear in a highly intense and realistic way.
- Exposure to the feared stimulus until the fear response subsides through extinction.
- Goal is to break the association between the fear-inducing stimulus and the fear response
- Alternative treatments: Biological treatments for reducing anxiety (e.g., benzodiazepines, beta-blockers).
Evaluation of Behavioral Therapies
- Effective when the situation/object is clearly identifiable as the fear source.
- Individuals need motivation.
- While ethical concerns exist with flooding, few documented negative side effects, and SD is typically more effective than implosion techniques.
- Therapies like beta-blockers/benzodiazepines reduce anxiety physiologically without behavioral exposure.
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Description
This quiz explores the characteristics, symptoms, and irrational responses associated with phobias. It delves into both the psychological aspects and physical reactions individuals experience when faced with their fears. Test your knowledge on the complexities of phobic disorders.
