Abnormal psychology: Understanding phobias

This article discusses phobias and how they differ from common fears. It explains the diagnostic criteria for phobias and how they affect individuals. The article also provides a rationale for the decision based on the diagnostic criteria for phobias. It further explains the difference between common fears and symptoms related to anxiety disorders.

Running head: Abnormal psychology 1
Abnormal psychology
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Running head: Abnormal psychology 2
1. Based on Joe’s explanation of his fears, do they meet the criteria for a phobia?
Yes. Because his fears are extreme prompting him to always go with source of
light whenever he visits the corner to knock down any spider that he come across. He
also destroys all the spider webs he comes across in the room, this is due to the extreme
fear that he lives with. His mind is accustomed to danger whenever he comes into contact
with spiders due to the experience he once had. His fear has been persistent and extreme
therefore meeting the criteria for a phobia. Joe had a hard time when he got into contact
with a spider explaining his extreme habit of always wanting to get rid of the spiders so
as to completely avoid getting into contact with them (Agras & Sylvester, 1969).
2. Explain your rationale for your decision based on the diagnostic criteria for phobias.
Based on diagnostic criteria, Joe has had intense and irrational fear of this
particular insect and this is shown by his desire to always eliminate the insect whenever
he visits the room. This is in relation to phobias given that he satisfies all elements of
excessive fear and the intense desire to avoid any chance of getting into contact with the
spiders (Beck & Greenberg, 2005).
3. Describe the difference between common fears and a phobia.
Common fears are feelings induced by danger that occurs in organisms which
subsequently causes changes in metabolic functions and ultimately a change in behavior
such as hiding, freezing or fleeing from traumatic events while phobias are extreme fear
of something or dislike of a certain object or organism. A phobia is a type of anxiety

Running head: Abnormal psychology 3
disorder while common fear is perceived danger by a potential recipient. Common fears
held by people includes agoraphobia acrophobia and social phobia, Phobia on the other
hand includes high level of fear to the extent of avoiding a particular object or something.
Common fear is general while phobia is more specific and detailed about
elements of a certain type of fear. Phobia has several symptoms that can be analyzed to
establish the fear, common fear on the other hand provides for usual behaviors that shows
how people react to different objects when exposed to them. From their literal meaning, a
difference can be drawn, common fears tends to show those behaviors that people usually
exhibit when they encounter danger while phobia is the intensity and determination with
which they avoid such fears (Cole & Wilkins, 2015).
4. Explain the difference between common fear and the symptoms related to an anxiety
disorder
Common fear basically are perceived feelings of danger by a person that they react
negatively towards whenever they come into contact with a source of danger while symptoms
related to anxiety disorder simply shows the state of people when they come across the elements
that they fear. Common fear includes, fear of spiders, fear of snakes, fear of cockroaches
especially by women while symptoms related to anxiety disorders include uneasiness, panic, dry
mouth, short breath, tensed muscles and dizziness. The symptoms technically shows the reaction
upon coming into contact with a perceived source of danger. Common fear explains out of
analysis the usual things that people normally fear (Morris, 1998).

Running head: Abnormal psychology 4
Agras, S., Sylvester, D., & Oliveau, D. (1969). Epidemiology of common fears and phobia.
Comprehensive psychiatry, 10(2). Retrieved from https//:doi.org/10.1016/0010-440x
(69)90022-4
Beck, T. A., Greenberg, L. R., & Emery, G. (2005). Anxiety disorders and phobias: a cognitive
perspective. American psychological association. Washington DC.
Le, A. D., Cole, G. G., & Wilkins, A. J. (2015). Assessment of trypophobia and an analysis of its
visual precipitation. The quarterly journal of experimental psychology, 68(11) 2304-
2322. Retrieved from doi:10.1080/17470218.2015.C
Morris, J. R., Kratochwill T. R. (1998). Fears and phobias. The practice of child therapy, 91-131.
American psychological association. Washington DC.