Phobias
Definition
- An irrational fear of an object
or situation.
- Specific phobia- phobia of a
specific object or situation.
- Social anxiety- phobia of a
social situation.
- Agoraphobia- phobia of
being outside or in a public
space.
Behavioural characteristics of
phobias
- Panic- Response to phobic
stimulus.
→ Behaviours include crying, screaming or running away.
- Avoidance- Sufferer makes an effort to avoid coming into contact
with phobic stimulus.
→ E.g. someone with a fear of public toilets may limit the time
spent outdoors to avoid using a public toilet.
→ Can interfere with daily life.
- Endurance- Opposite to avoidance, sufferer remains in presence of
phobic stimulus but maintains high levels of anxiety.
→ E.g. fear of flying- sufferer stays on plane.
Emotional characteristics
- Anxiety- Phobias are anxiety disorders, which elicit an unpleasant
state of high arousal which can be long term.
→ Prevents sufferer from relaxing.
- Emotional responses are unreasonable
→ E.g. arachnophobia may elicit a very strong emotional
response to a tiny, harmless spider.
→ This is disproportionate to the danger posed.
Cognitive characteristics
- Selective attention to phobic stimulus
→ If a sufferer sees a phobic stimulus, they will not be able to
look away- seeing the ‘threat’ allows them to react quickly.
→ E.g. Pogonophobia- sufferer will not be able to concentrate if
there is someone with a beard in the room.
- Irrational beliefs
→ Irrational beliefs in relation to phobic stimuli.
Definition
- An irrational fear of an object
or situation.
- Specific phobia- phobia of a
specific object or situation.
- Social anxiety- phobia of a
social situation.
- Agoraphobia- phobia of
being outside or in a public
space.
Behavioural characteristics of
phobias
- Panic- Response to phobic
stimulus.
→ Behaviours include crying, screaming or running away.
- Avoidance- Sufferer makes an effort to avoid coming into contact
with phobic stimulus.
→ E.g. someone with a fear of public toilets may limit the time
spent outdoors to avoid using a public toilet.
→ Can interfere with daily life.
- Endurance- Opposite to avoidance, sufferer remains in presence of
phobic stimulus but maintains high levels of anxiety.
→ E.g. fear of flying- sufferer stays on plane.
Emotional characteristics
- Anxiety- Phobias are anxiety disorders, which elicit an unpleasant
state of high arousal which can be long term.
→ Prevents sufferer from relaxing.
- Emotional responses are unreasonable
→ E.g. arachnophobia may elicit a very strong emotional
response to a tiny, harmless spider.
→ This is disproportionate to the danger posed.
Cognitive characteristics
- Selective attention to phobic stimulus
→ If a sufferer sees a phobic stimulus, they will not be able to
look away- seeing the ‘threat’ allows them to react quickly.
→ E.g. Pogonophobia- sufferer will not be able to concentrate if
there is someone with a beard in the room.
- Irrational beliefs
→ Irrational beliefs in relation to phobic stimuli.
