Saavedra and Silverman Study on Phobias

A collection of flashcards summarizing key concepts, aims, and findings from the Saavedra and Silverman study on phobias.

What was the aim of Saavedra and Silverman's research in 2002?

To investigate the causes of a button phobia in a child and to treat the child's phobia by targeting both disgust and fear responses.

What is evaluative learning?

A form of classical conditioning where a person negatively evaluates a previously neutral object or event, leading to feelings of disgust without anticipating threat.

What role does disgust play in phobias according to the study?

Disgust may interact with fear to increase avoidance behavior of the phobic stimulus.

Who was the participant in the study?

The participant was a 9-year-old Hispanic American boy who had a specific phobia of buttons.

How was the child's button phobia developed according to the study?

The phobia began when the child experienced a distressing incident at age 5 involving buttons falling on him during an art class.

What therapeutic method was used in the study?

An exposure-based treatment program that included gradual exposure to buttons and cognitive restructuring.

How did the child's distress ratings change after treatment?

The distress ratings decreased significantly over sessions, and by the follow-ups, he no longer met the DSM-IV criteria for a specific phobia.

What ethical consideration was taken in the study?

Informed consent was obtained from both the child and his mother before proceeding with therapy.

What was a major strength of the study?

The focus on a single case allowed for in-depth data collection regarding the boy’s phobia and treatment.

What was a significant weakness identified in the study?

The findings may not be generalizable, as the study focused on one individual who could represent a unique case.

In the context of nature vs. nurture, what conclusion can be drawn from the child's phobia?

The acquisition of the phobia is more related to nurture, stemming from a specific classroom experience rather than being a genetically inherited trait.