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PSY 215 – NOVA Online Study Guide Exam 2-
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Chapter 4
What is the difference between fear and anxiety?
Fear- response to a serious threat to one’s well-being
Anxiety- response to a vague sense of threat or danger
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
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Know key features/diagnostic checklist
-for 6 months or more the person experiences disproportionate, uncontrollable, and ongoing anxiety and worry about multiple
matters
-symptoms include edginess, fatigue, poor concentration, irritability, muscle tension, sleep problems
-causes significant distress or impairment
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Societal and Multicultural Factors
-GAD usually develops in those with ongoing social conditions or in those with forms of societal stress (poverty, race, ethnicity)
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The Humanistic Perspective- GAD arises when people stop looking at themselves honestly /acceptingly
-Carl Rogers' explanation- Lack of unconditional positive regard in childhood leads to conditions of worth (i.e., harsh self-
standards), Threatening self-judgments break through and cause anxiety, setting the stage for GAD to develop
-Client-centered approach used to show unconditional positive regard for clients and to empathize with them
-Despite optimistic case reports, controlled studies have failed to offer strong support
-Only limited support for Rogers' explanation of GAD and other forms of abnormal behavior
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The Cognitive Perspective
-Problematic behaviors and dysfunctional thinking often cause psychological disorders
-Treatment focus involves the nature of behavior and thoughts
- Early approaches (Maladaptive or basic irrational assumptions (Ellis), Silent assumptions (Beck))
-Newer= Metacognitive theory (Wells) and meta-worries, Intolerance of uncertainty theory (Koerner and colleagues), Avoidance
theory (Borkovec))
-Therapy can include changing maladaptive assumptions and breaking down worrying (mindfulness, acceptance and commitment
therapy)
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The Biological Perspective
-GAD is caused chiefly by biological factors- Fear reactions are tied to brain circuits
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Supported by family pedigree studies and brain researchers
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Challenged by competing explanation of shared environment
o GAD results from a hyperactive fear circuit
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GABA: Important neurotransmitter in this circuit
o Involves several brain structures
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Prefrontal cortex
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Anterior cingulate cortex
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Insula
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Amygdala
o Bed nucleus of stria terminals (BNST) may play large or larger role than other structures
Phobias
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Specific Phobias – know key features
o Marked, persistent, and disproportionate fear of a particular object or situation; usually lasting at least 6 months
o Exposure to the object produces immediate fear
o Avoidance of the feared situation
o Significant distress or impairment
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Agoraphobia
