Question 1: Define a phobia and explain how it differs from a general fear.

Answer: A phobia is an intense, irrational fear of a specific object or situation that leads to avoidance behavior. Unlike a general fear, which is a normal response to danger, a phobia is disproportionate to the actual threat and can interfere significantly with daily life.

Question 2: Identify and describe two common types of phobias.

Answer: Two common types of phobias are acrophobia, which is an intense fear of heights, and arachnophobia, which is an extreme fear of spiders. Both involve persistent and irrational fear that leads to avoidance of the stimulus.

Question 3: Describe the behavioral approach to explaining how phobias develop.

Answer: The behavioral approach suggests that phobias develop through classical conditioning, where a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a frightening event, leading to fear. Additionally, operant conditioning maintains the phobia, as avoidance behaviors reduce anxiety, thus reinforcing the fear response.

Question 4: Explain two techniques used in the treatment of phobias.

Answer: Two common techniques are systematic desensitization, which involves gradual exposure to the feared object while practicing relaxation, and flooding, which involves immediate and intense exposure to the phobic stimulus to overcome the fear.

Question 5: Describe a scenario where someone develops a phobia of dogs. Include possible causes.

Answer: A person might develop a fear of dogs after being bitten by a dog during childhood. This traumatic experience creates an association between dogs and pain, leading to a phobia. Genetic predisposition and observation of others fearing dogs could also contribute.

Question 6: List three symptoms that someone with a specific phobia might experience when exposed to their feared object or situation.

Answer: Symptoms may include rapid heartbeat, sweating, and feelings of intense anxiety or panic.

Question 7: Draw a diagram to illustrate the process of classical conditioning in the development of a phobia. Label the components involved.

Answer: A correct diagram would depict an unconditioned stimulus (e.g., a dog bite), an unconditioned response (fear), a neutral stimulus (dog), which after pairing with the bite becomes a conditioned stimulus, leading to a conditioned response (fear).

Question 8: Suggest two ways in which society can help reduce the stigma associated with seeking treatment for phobias.

Answer: Society can promote awareness campaigns to educate people about phobias and encourage open conversations about mental health and seeking professional help.

Question 9: Explain how avoidance behavior can maintain a phobia over time.

Answer: Avoidance behavior prevents the person from experiencing the feared object or situation, which reduces anxiety temporarily. However, this prevents extinction of the fear response, thus maintaining or even strengthening the phobia.