Phobias (AQA A Level Psychology): Exam Questions

A researcher wanted to investigate agoraphobia by studying Patient X. The researcher designed a questionnaire to find out about Patient X’s experiences. However, a colleague suggested that the researcher might do better to conduct a case study.

Explain one or more reasons why it might be better to conduct a case study than a questionnaire.

Outline one limitation of systematic desensitisation as a treatment for phobias.

Kirsty is in her twenties and has had a phobia of balloons since one burst near her face when she was a little girl. Loud noises such as ‘banging’ and ‘popping’ cause Kirsty extreme anxiety, and she avoids situations such as birthday parties and weddings, where there might be balloons.

Suggest how the behavioural approach might be used to explain Kirsty’s phobia of balloons.

Outline one or more ways in which behaviourists treat phobias.

Max has a phobia of the sea. On a family holiday as a child, he was carried away by the tide and had to be rescued by a lifeguard. Now he has a family of his own, Max refuses to go on beach holidays.

Discuss the two-process model of phobias. Refer to Max’s phobia of the sea in your answer.

Outline and evaluate systematic desensitisation as a treatment for phobias.

Maya has a phobia of lifts. Whenever she sees a lift, she feels sick and her heart starts racing. She avoids them entirely, walking up many flights of stairs to get to her office every day. She knows her fear is irrational, but she cannot control the panic.

Discuss the two-process model as an explanation for phobias. Refer to Maya’s phobia of lifts in your answer.