The Behaviorist Approach to Phobias

Flashcards covering the definition, symptoms, types, and the two process model (acquisition and maintenance) of phobias.

What three types of symptoms characterize a phobia?

A phobia is characterized by a persistent fear of a specific stimulus (emotional), irrational beliefs about the feared stimulus (cognitive), and avoidance of the feared stimulus (behavioral).

What is required for a person to be diagnosed with a phobia?

All three types of symptoms (emotional, cognitive, and behavioral) must be present, and they must be about one specific stimulus.

How is social phobia defined?

Social phobia is the fear of being in social situations.

How is agoraphobia defined?

Agoraphobia is the fear of being in a situation where escape would be difficult.

What are specific phobias?

Specific phobias are the fear of a specific object or animal.

According to the two process model, how are phobias acquired?

Phobias are acquired through classical conditioning when a person forms an association between a neutral stimulus and an unpleasant unconditioned stimulus.

In the context of the behaviorist approach, how does a neutral stimulus become a conditioned stimulus?

A neutral stimulus becomes a conditioned stimulus when it is encountered alongside an unpleasant unconditioned stimulus, leading to a conditioned fear response.

According to the two process model, how are phobias maintained?

Phobias are maintained by operant conditioning.

How does negative reinforcement play a role in maintaining a phobia?

When a person avoids a feared stimulus, the negative feeling of fear is removed, which reinforces the avoidance behavior through negative reinforcement.