Chapter 10 KEY TERMS

Question 1

specific phobia

Answer 1

a persistent, intense, irrational fear of a specific object or event, often leading to avoidance behaviour

Question 2

phobia catagories

Answer 2

• the natural environment (e.g. water, storms)
• animals (e.g. snakes, spiders, dogs)
• potential bodily pain or injury (e.g. needles, dental and medical procedures, sight of blood)
• situations (e.g. heights, confined or open spaces, aeroplanes, tunnels).

Question 3

biological factors that contribute to developing a specific phobia

Answer 3

internal physiologically based or determined factors
- GABA dysfunction
- long term potentiation

Question 4

psychological factors that contribute to developing a specific phobia

Answer 4

internal influences associated with mental processes

• behavioural models of phobia development - suggests that phobias are learned through experience and may be developed (CC, OC)
• cognitive bias (memory bias and catastrophic thinking)

Question 5

social factors that contribute to developing a specific phobia

Answer 5

external factors that involve skills in interacting with others; and the range and quality of interpersonal relationships

• specific environmental triggers
• stigma around seeking treatment

Question 6

evidence based interventions

Answer 6

treatments that were effective in valid and reliable research studies

Question 7

biological interventions

Answer 7

treatment target physiological mechanisms believed to contribute to a phobia

• short-acting anti-anxiety benzodiazepine agents (GABA agonists)
• breathing retraining

Question 8

psychological interventions

Answer 8

treatment that uses psychotherapy to modify thoughts feelings or behaviours

• cognitive behavioural therapy
• sytematic desensitisation

Question 9

social interventions

Answer 9

intervention designed to increase social support for people with a mental illness

• psychoeducation