PSYB45H3 Chapter 24: Fear and Anxiety Reduction Procedures
Document Summary
Fear- occurs when a stimulus situation elicits automatic nervous system arousal and the individual engages in behaviour to void or escape from the stimulus situation. Anxiety- activation of the autonomic nervous system (including rapid heart rate, shallow rapid breathing, and increased muscle tension). Autonomic arousal is an establishing operation that increases the probability of operant behaviour involving escape or avoidance responses. Typically some event functions as a conditioned stimulus (cs) to elicit the automatic arousal as a conditioned response (cr). The operant behaviour functions to escape from or avoid the cs. Relaxation training- procedure for teaching a person the skills needed to decrease autonomic arousal (anxiety) by producing an incompatible state of relaxation. Progressive muscle relaxation, diaphragmatic breathing, attention focusing exercises and behavioural relaxation training are types of relaxation training procedures. Progressive muscle relaxation, diaphragmatic breathing, attention focusing exercises and behavioural relaxation training.
