Phobias - Behaviourist

What is the DSM definition?

an irrational fear of object or situation

What are the behavioural characteristics of phobias?

panic - crying and clinging

avoidance- this can result in daily life becoming disrupted

endurance- alternative to avoidance but results in prolonged anxiety

What are the emotional characteristics of phobias?

anxiety - phobias are classified as an anxiety disorder, which is an unpleasantly high state of arousal

emotional responses are unreasonable- usually unnecessary based on phobia stimulus

what are the cognitive characteristics of phobias?

selective attention- hard to look away from phobia stimulus, keeps out focus on dangerous stimuli= adaptive purpose and not useful when fear is irrational

irrational beliefs regarding phobic stimuli

cognitive distortion- cognitive beliefs about phobic distortion may be distorted

What does the two process model say about phobias and what processes are involved?

phobias are learnt

associating a neutral stimulus with something that triggers fear(UCR)

What is the aim of systematic desensitisation and procedure?

to gradually reduce anxiety using classical conditioning- counterconditioning

-Anxiety hierarchy- a list of situations related to phobic stimulus that provoke anxiety in order from least to most frightening

-Relaxation - therapist teaches individual to relax e.g. breathing excersize

-Exposure - individual is exposed to phobic stimulus in relaxed state. Individual learns to associate phobic stimulus with relaxed feeling. Reciprocal inhibition, you cannot be afraid and relaxed

Outline flooding

a- eliminate the phobia by removing the learned fear response

process- immediate exposure to phobic stimuli 2-3 hours with avoidance

outcome of therapy- anxiety rises but cannot remain long term so will come down

ethical safeguards- must get informed and consent before flooding begins. patients must be aware that method is traumatic- no right to withdraw under certain circumstances