Psychologyand Social Phobia

8 Pages 2004 Words

INTRODUCTION

The author of this essay will aim to give a definition of Psychology, select and define a contemporary health issue. The author will also indicate the extent of the contemporary health issue and discuss the characteristics of this health issue including the effects of any treatments and the impact on ‘normal life’. The author will also indicate if this health issue is of, or should have any concern for the public. Finally the author will review two psychological approaches and apply one or more approaches to the contemporary health issue selected.
Before we can review any psychological approach we must first understand the definition of psychology.

“Perhaps the most wildly accepted definition of psychology is that it is the scientific study of behaviour and experience”. (Wadeley, Birch & Malim 1997).

Psychologists have developed several theories and approaches to explain human behaviour but not one single theory or approach can explain all of human behaviour.

The author has chosen as his contemporary health issue for this essay phobias and in particular social phobia.





What is a phobia?
A phobia is a type of anxiety disorder. Essentially it is defined as an irrational fear of an object or situation of which the sufferer has a compelling need to flee or avoid the phobic object or situation.
(Beck A.T & Emery G 1985)

Phobias are the fears that humankind and animal-kind have, but how do they arise. Do they arise from past instances, and/or are they learned from other people. How does the body react to these phobias. These instances must be traumatic or why else would they cause any distortions. When the fear is learned from one being to the other, does this mean it is contagious, or it can be spread to all of the population?

Well-established phobias can last a lifetime, which is why it is so often hard to overcome a phobia. It may be so deeply rooted in the person that some may have t...