psy254 chapter 4

7. Describe at least four characteristics of agoraphobia (define). How does the woman featured in the posted video on agoraphobia demonstrate these characteristics? So FIRST define agoraphobia, then LIST 4 characteristics finally apply these 4 characteristics to the woman in the posted video.

Agoraphobia: An anxiety disorder in which a person is afraid to be in public situations from which an escape might be difficult or help unavailable if panic-like or embarrassing symptoms were to occur. Four characteristics are avoidance, panic attacks, embarrassment, and feeling trapped. In the video she feels panic and her heart rate races, she avoids the public by not leaving her home, she feels embarrassed that she misses out on her family events, and feels trapped because she is scared of the guy who initially caused her agoraphobia.

9. Describe in detail the exposure therapies (define what exposure therapy is) of systematic desensitization (define), flooding (define), and modeling(define) in the treatment of specific phobias. How does the video on Howie Mandel demonstrate one (1) of these therapies?

Exposure therapy is treatment in which persons are exposed to the objects or situations they dread. Systematic desensitization is an exposure treatment that uses relaxation training and a fear hierarchy to help clients with phobias react calmly to the objects or situations they dread. Flooding is an exposure treatment for phobias in which clients are exposed repeatedly and intensively to a feared object and made to see that it is actually harmless. Modeling is a process of learning in which a person observes and then imitates others and is a treatment method as well. All of these exposure therapies are used in the treatment of specific phobias by introducing the phobia to the person and having them get used to it. The video on Howie Mandel demonstrates flooding by exposing him to his fear of heights rapidly and intensely using VR.

5. Explain in detail, from a biological perspective, how GABA (define) is related to the experience of anxiety. What are some limitations of this explanation? (Hint: GABA is a neurotransmitter so you need to know how it works and THEN how is MIGHT contribute to the experience of anxiety. Having done that give 2 or 3 limitations of this explanation.)

GABA: The original neurotransmitter whose low activity in the brain's fear circuit has been linked to anxiety. GABA carries the inhibitory message that ends firing a neuron receptor. Low GABA could help produce excessive brain circuit communication and contribute to GAD development. Some limitations of this explanation are that it fails to take into account external factors that may lead to GAD and anxiety such as environment and social aspects, as well as previous experiences from childhood as highlighted by the psychodynamic perspective.

2. Briefly compare and contrast the sociocultural, psychodynamic, humanistic, cognitive behavioral, and biological perspectives regarding the development of generalized anxiety disorders. So BRIEFLY list and define each of the perspectives and BRIEFLY explain how EACH perspective would explain how one develops generalized anxiety. (Note: A good way to approach this BIG question is to 1) FIRST define generalized anxiety disorder BRIEFLY 2) merely list the five approaches: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and give a few words explaining that particular approach; 3) the question asks you how each of the five perspectives would explain the DEVELOPMENT of GAD . For example: GAD =_____________ 1 Biological perspective =____________; 2. This perspective would propose a biological explanation of how GAD MIGHT develop. Use this as your template for the other 4 perspectives.)

GAD: A disorder marked by persistent and excessive feelings of anxiety and worry about numerous events and activities. Sociocultural: This perspective is focused on the social and cultural influences that may lead to abnormal behavior. They believe GAD is most likely to develop in those who are faced with ongoing societal conditions that are dangerous. Psychodynamic: This perspective is marked by Freud and is focused on the unconscious and previous unresolved childhood experiences. They believe all children experience anxiety growing up and use defense mechanisms to combat this. But, if a child has high levels of anxiety and it isn't resolved, they may develop GAD. Humanistic: This perspective emphasizes the importance of looking at the person as a whole and focuses on acceptance and honesty with yourself. Abnormality rises out of self deception and unacceptance. They believe GAD is caused by self deception and dishonesty, repeated denials of their true thoughts and emotions can make people anxious and unable to fulfill their potential. Carl Rogers: children who fail to receive unconditional positive regard leads to harsh self standards. These threatening self judgements cause anxiety and set the stage for GAD. Cognitive-Behavioral: Perspective that focuses on maladaptive behaviors and cognitions that cause abnormality. In the case of GAD, it is focused mainly on the cognitive aspect. They believe GAD is caused by maladaptive assumptions and basic irrational beliefs: beliefs that lead them to act and react in inappropriate ways. Biological: The biological perspective focuses on physiological components such as genetics, evolution, mutations, that lead to abnormalities. They believe GAD is caused by genetics and abnormal/hyperactive brain circuits.

17. In the "Little Albert'' video, what approach was used to produce fear in Little Albert? (1 pt). Explain the experiment.(2 pts) Who was the psychologist? (1pt). Albert extended his initial to other similar objects, what is this process called? (1 pt).

In the Little Albert video, the approach to produce fear was classical conditioning. The experiment was a baby (Little Albert) being shown rats and whenever he reached out to touch one, the psychologist would make a loud noise by hitting bars together to scare Albert and make him afraid of the rats. The psychologist was John B. Watson. The process of extending his initial reaction to similar objects is called assimilation.

10. Describe the differences between in vivo desensitization (define) and covert desensitization(define) and give an example of each. Include virtual reality in your response. You can use the Howie Mandel video for this too if you like.

Vivo desensitization is live exposure desensitization...in real life you confront things face to face. An example of this is having to hold a snake if you are scared of snakes. Covert desensitization is imagined exposure desensitization. An example of this would be seeing fake snakes via VR. Or the Howie Mandel video of VR to confront his fear of heights.

11. Imagine that a person has a diagnosed panic disorder (define). Based on the latest research, which treatment options (2) are most appropriate for this person? Give a specific example.

A panic disorder is an anxiety disorder marked by recurrent and unpredictable panic attacks. Based on the latest research, the two most appropriate treatment options are drug therapies such as antidepressants like prozac, as well as CBT therapy by teaching clients to interpret their physical sensation more accurately to better cope with anxiety.

3. Identify and provide examples for basic irrational assumptions, meta-worries, and intolerance of uncertainty theory (define each of these terms please) from the cognitive-behavioral perspective's explanation of anxiety. So define each of the underlined terms and explain each from a cognitive behavioral perspective (define).

Basic Irrational Assumptions: The inaccurate and inappropriate beliefs held by people with various psychological problems. CB Example: If people aren't nice to me then that means I am worthless. Meta-worries: Worries about your own thoughts and cognitive processes. Worrying about worrying. Example: All of my worries and worrying will make me ill. Intolerance of Uncertainty Theory: Characteristic that results from a set of negative beliefs about uncertainty and its implications and involves the tendency to react negatively on an emotional, cognitive, and behavioral level to uncertain situations and events. Example: I must complete all of the work because no one else will be able to do it right other than me.

4.What are the effects, positive and negative, of taking benzodiazepines for generalized anxiety disorder? So first explain what benzodiazepines are and give an example; then give ONE positive effect and ONE negative effect of taking these drugs.

Benzodiazepines: A depressant drug meant to treat anxiety disorders by being received by neuron receptors. Pro: Provide anxiety symptom relief (physical) Con: Can't change anxious thoughts (drugs don't solve everything by themselves...need therapy)

1. What criteria are used to distinguish between clinically significant fear and anxiety (define each term) and everyday fear and anxiety? Give examples of each. Why is it important to know the difference?

Clinically significant fear is a physical and emotional response from the central nervous system to an observable serious threat. It is worrying that has an explainable and typically rational reason behind it. Anxiety is the central nervous system's response to a vague sense of fear and danger that may or may not have a rational and have an explainable reason behind it and that is ongoing. The criteria to distinguish between the two is that fear is focused and rational while anxiety may be more irrational and can be triggered by certain stimuli. An example of fear is a fear of snakes. An example of anxiety is the feeling you might get before taking tests. It is important to know the difference for treatment purposes based off of duration.

8. Describe how a cognitive-behaviorist would explain the development of a dog phobia, using modeling (define). Include an example. You can use the Little Albert video as a partial explanation (behavioral part).

Modeling is a process of learning in which a person observes and then imitates others. A cognitive behaviorist would explain the development of a dog phobia using modeling by explaining how the person observing another person who is acting afraid of a dog and imitating then creates a brain circuit and learned behavior (cognitive and behavioral). In the little albert video the behavioral aspect is modeled by the baby learning to not touch the rat when he is frightened by the loud noise, conditioning his fear response.

6. Describe at least four differences between normal fear(define) and phobia (define). Identify some of the uses of fear. A good way to approach this is to give examples of when we would experience "normal fear" and then define 'phobia' in clinical terms.

Normal fear: The central nervous system's physiological and emotional response to a serious threat to one's well-being. Everyone experiences fear and it isn't dysfunctional. Phobia: A persistent and unreasonable fear of a particular object, activity, or situation. Uses of fear: To avoid danger and protect us...survival. Heights, scary animals, dangerous people. Differences: Phobia is irrational and fear has a use, phobia isn't always a threat, fears can be more often in everyday life, phobias should be treated.

13. Following the example of the case vignettes (stories) in the textbook, write a description of someone experiencing an obsessive-compulsive disorder (define). Include the MOST common themes in obsessive thoughts AND compulsive behaviors. You can use one of the examples from the text if you wish.

Obsessive compulsive disorder is a disorder in which a person has recurrent obsessions, compulsions, or both. Around the age of 9, Nancy began having obsessions of fearing that she would be hit by a car if she stepped off the curb. She feared her friends would be kidnapped and if she didn't do a prayer routine each night bad things would happen to her family. The routine became more elaborate and if she made a mistake she had to redo it or something bad would happen to her family. The obsessions and compulsions became more intense and outlandish until she could barely function.

15. DSM-5 includes a category called obsessive-compulsive-related disorders (define) . List and describe the four patterns(actual disorders) in that group. What is the underlying commonality in all of these disorders?

Obsessive compulsive related disorders are disorders in which obsessive-like concerns drive people to repeatedly and excessively perform certain abnormal patterns of behavior. Hoarding disorder...individuals feel compelled to save items and become distressed if they try to throw them away. Trichotillomania...people repeatedly pull out their hair from all over their body. Excoriation disorder...people repeatedly pick at their skin which results in wounds and sores. Body dysmorphic disorder...people become preoccupied with the belief that they have certain defects or flaws in their physical appearance....which are imagined or greatly exaggerated. The underlying commonality is they are all beliefs that result in habits to try and lessen the anxiety the thoughts produce.

14. Compare the psychodynamic (define) and cognitive-behavioral (define) perspectives regarding the causes of obsessive-compulsive disorders (define). Give examples of each.

Psychodynamic is the psychology of mental or emotional forces or processes developing especially in early childhood and their effects on behavior and mental states. The reason for OCD from this perspective is that it develops from the battle between anxiety-provoking id impulses and anxiety-reducing defense mechanisms that isn't buried in the unconscious but is acted out in overt thoughts and actions. An example of this would be a child feeling the need to express their id impulses but also knowing they shouldn't...which can lead to OCD to try and stop the thoughts. The cognitive-behavioral approach involves one's thoughts and how they lead to observable actions. They believe OCD stems from repetitive, unwanted, and intrusive thoughts that aren't ignored but are instead acted upon to try and reduce the anxiety to "neutralize" these thoughts. An example of this would be thinking you will die if you don't wash your hands obsessively, so you wash your hands obsessively.

12. List at least four (4) dysfunctional beliefs and expectations behind social anxiety disorder (define). First define 'social anxiety disorder' then list 4 dysfunctional beliefs and expectations.

Social anxiety disorder is a severe and persistent fear of social or performance situations in which embarrassment may occur. Believing they are unattractive socially Believing they are socially unskilled and inadequate Believing they have no control over their feelings of anxiety that emerge in social situations Holding unrealistically high expectations for themselves in social situations

19. In the video on the "strange situation" what is demonstrated? To answer this you need to 1. explain what the Strange Situation is: 2) state the psychologist who created this experiment; 3) what does it demonstrate?

The strange situation is the baby playing with toys with a stranger which places the child under stress and when the mother comes back will evaluate the baby's attachment to the mother. The psychologist who created this experiment is Mary Ainsworth. It demonstrates the degree of attachment.

16. In the video on Agoraphobia, how severe was the agoraphobia featured in the woman? To answer this, you need to explain her behavioral symptoms, how long she has suffered with this. What approach did Dr. Rachel take with her? Describe.

The woman has suffered with this for over 10 years. Her behavioral symptoms were not leaving the house, anxiety, and panic. The approach Dr. Rachel took was vivo desensitization exposure therapy by taking her on a walk down the street and pushing the woman to see how far she could go.

18. In the Harry Harlow experiment on baby monkeys where Harlow presents a 'robot-like' object to the baby monkey raised solely on 'wire monkeys', what is the baby's reaction and why? What phenomenon in human baby's also demonstrates this response?

When Harlow presents a robot-like object to the baby monkey solely raised on wire monkeys, the baby's reaction is to go to his mother in order to drive away his fear. The separation anxiety/neutralizing phenomenon in a human baby also demonstrates this response.