PHOBIAS

Define phobia

irrational and excessive fear of an object or situation. eg arachnophobia = phobia of spiders

what are three DSM categories for phobias

agoraphobia- fear of leaving the house

social phobia

specific phobias

apply each conditioning to phobias

classical- phobia is due to association, so if you get bitten by a spider you may associate all spiders with biting and therefore fear

operant - phobia is due to consequences such as having a spider thrown at you -positive punishment

SLT- phobia by imitation so if a parent is scared of speech learn this fear by imitating their phobic behaviour

evaluate behavioural approach in relation to phobias

+evidence from little hans phobia - neutral stimulus associated with unconditioned response

-ignores biological explanation such as we may be genetically predisposed seligman

+helpful to understand how they can be overcome and develop therapies

-not all phobias from experience such as people fearing snakes having never seen a snake

what is systematic desensitisation

reduces link between anxiety and objects and situations an individual is afraid of.

1. develop an anxiety hierarchy

2. relaxation training

3. gradual exposure

in vitro- imagines exposure to feared stimulus

in vivo- actually exposed to feared stimulus

evaluate systematic desensitisation as a treatment for phobias

+capafons et al 1998 planes

-in vitro desensitisation relies on visualising stimulus which many cant do

+inglesias and inglesias cars

-doesnt work for other mh conditions just phobias

+teaches client to relax and deal with other phobias they can apply this skill to