https://padlet.com/tulika_1991/ca1wn2r8vrog3yd0 Button Phobia en-us 2020-12-07 14:12:29 UTC 2023-02-04 19:39:53 UTC hello@padlet.com tulika_1991 https://padlet.com/tulika_1991/ca1wn2r8vrog3yd0/wish/994099740 - To examine the role of classical conditioning in relation to fear and avoidance of a particular stimulus.
- In context of phobia, researchers wanted to seeif using a type of exposure therapy could reduce the disgust and distress associated with buttons.]]> 2020-12-07 14:21:23 UTC https://padlet.com/tulika_1991/ca1wn2r8vrog3yd0/wish/994099740 tulika_1991 https://padlet.com/tulika_1991/ca1wn2r8vrog3yd0/wish/998299225 Classical conditioning is a form of learning in which an unconditioned response becomes linked to a previously neutral stimulus to create a learned association.

Psychologist believed that abnormal behaviour such as phobias can also be both learned and unlearned. 

There are several types of conditioning: 
- expectancy learning: a previously neutral or non-threatening object or event becomes associated with a potentially non-threatening outcome. The consequence is that the individual expects the negative outcome so experiences fear in the presence of the previously non-threatening situation.

- evaluative learning: the indivdual forms an association between a previously neutral stimulus and a negative emotion, but this is a negative evaluation.]]> 2020-12-08 14:48:57 UTC https://padlet.com/tulika_1991/ca1wn2r8vrog3yd0/wish/998299225 tulika_1991 https://padlet.com/tulika_1991/ca1wn2r8vrog3yd0/wish/1002150639 -CLINICAL CASE STUDY
- 1 PARTICIPANT
- Life history and treatment was studied in depth.
- Mother and boy was interviewed about the onset of phobia and subsequent behaviour.
- The results of the treatment was measured using a nine-point rating scale of disgust known as the 'Feelings Thermometer'.

]]> 2020-12-09 14:06:10 UTC https://padlet.com/tulika_1991/ca1wn2r8vrog3yd0/wish/1002150639 tulika_1991 https://padlet.com/tulika_1991/ca1wn2r8vrog3yd0/wish/1002190803 - 9 year old Hispanic American boy.
- Sought support from Child Anxiety and Phobia Program at Florida International University, Miami. 
- He met the criteria for having specific phobia of buttons ,
- Had been experiencing symptoms for around 4 years prior to the start of the study.]]> 2020-12-09 14:15:12 UTC https://padlet.com/tulika_1991/ca1wn2r8vrog3yd0/wish/1002190803 tulika_1991 https://padlet.com/tulika_1991/ca1wn2r8vrog3yd0/wish/1002225108 1- The boy and his mother both provided informed consent.
2- They were interviewed in order to determine whether any trauma or abuse could explain the boy's phobia.
- When he was interviewed the phobia was interfering significanlty with his normal functioning; he could no longer dress himself and had become preoccupied with avoiding touching buttons or clothing that could have touched buttons.
3- It was necessary prior the treatment to understand the boy's feelings towards butons.
4- Through discussion, they created a hierarchy of feared stimuli, with each item on the list provoking increasing fear.
5- The most difficult item for the child were small. clear plastic buttons. These were rated at an '8' on the nine-points Feelings Thermometer.
6- Handling these or touching someone wearing them was the most unpleasant task for the boy.]]> 2020-12-09 14:22:26 UTC https://padlet.com/tulika_1991/ca1wn2r8vrog3yd0/wish/1002225108 tulika_1991 https://padlet.com/tulika_1991/ca1wn2r8vrog3yd0/wish/1002292783 2 INTERVENTIONS were used to treat the boy .
1- POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT THERAPY - It was behaviour focused approach ; the boy was rewarded for showing less fear and for handling the buttons.
- The positive reinforcement was given by the mother only after he had completed a gradual exposure to buttons.
- Treatment sessions lasted between 20 and 30 minutes.

2- IMAGERY EXPOSURE THERAPY - It uses visualisation techniques and in this case they used 'Disgust-related imagery with cognitive self-control strategies. 
- The boy was asked to imagine buttons falling on him and to consider how they looked, felt and smelled. 
- He was also asked to talk about how these imagery exposures made him feel.
- The exposures progressed from images of larger to smaller buttons, in line with his fear hierarchy.]]> 2020-12-09 14:36:29 UTC https://padlet.com/tulika_1991/ca1wn2r8vrog3yd0/wish/1002292783 tulika_1991 https://padlet.com/tulika_1991/ca1wn2r8vrog3yd0/wish/1009872168 POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT THERAPY
- The outcome: successful completion of all the exposure tasks listed in the hierarchy of fear.
- The boy was also observed approaching the buttons more positively. Eg. he started handling large no. of buttons during later sessions.
-Subjective ratings of distress increased significantly between sessions two and three, and continued to rise.
- By session 4, a no.of items in the hierarchy had increased in dislike from the original scores.
- Though his behaviour towards the fearful stimuli improved, his feelings of disgust, fear and anxiety increased.
- The finding is consistent with the evaluative learning: (despite behavioural change, evaluative reactions i.e. disgust, remain unchanged or even increased.]]> 2020-12-11 14:41:05 UTC https://padlet.com/tulika_1991/ca1wn2r8vrog3yd0/wish/1009872168 tulika_1991 https://padlet.com/tulika_1991/ca1wn2r8vrog3yd0/wish/1009942252 - The therapy appeared to be successful in reducing the boy's rating of distress.
- Prior to imagery therapy, the boy rated this experience the most fearful and disgusting (score of 8 on the Feelings Thermometer).
- This reduced to 5 midway through exposure, and just 3 after the exposure was complete.
- 6 months and 12 months follow-up was conducted after the treatment.
- At these assessments sessions, the boy reported feeling minimal distress about buttons.
- He no longer met the diagnostic criteria for a specific phobia of buttons.
- His feelings no longer affected his normal functioning.
- He was able to wear small, clear plastic buttons on a daily basis. ]]> 2020-12-11 14:57:48 UTC https://padlet.com/tulika_1991/ca1wn2r8vrog3yd0/wish/1009942252 tulika_1991 https://padlet.com/tulika_1991/ca1wn2r8vrog3yd0/wish/1015882967 - The researchers concluded that treatment was successful.
- Emotions and cognitions relating to disgust are important when learning new responses to phobic stimuli.
- imagery exposure can have a long-term effect on reducing distress associated with specific phobias as it tackles negative evaluations.]]> 2020-12-14 13:58:58 UTC https://padlet.com/tulika_1991/ca1wn2r8vrog3yd0/wish/1015882967 tulika_1991 https://padlet.com/tulika_1991/ca1wn2r8vrog3yd0/wish/1015898200 1- The case study is highly valid: the participant was studied over a period of time using several different methods of data collection.
2- Standardized measures such as Feelings Thermometer before, during and after therapy.
3- Quantitative data ensured that the improvement seen in the phobic reactions of the little boy was highly likely to be a result of the treatment he received.
4- Qualitative data obtained was useful as it helps to understand the reasons underlying abnormal behaviour.
5- Informed consent was taken both from the mother and the boy.
6- Boy's anonymity was preserved, which allowed to maintain his privacy. ]]> 2020-12-14 14:02:44 UTC https://padlet.com/tulika_1991/ca1wn2r8vrog3yd0/wish/1015898200 tulika_1991 https://padlet.com/tulika_1991/ca1wn2r8vrog3yd0/wish/1016004082 1- It was case study (1 person) so it is difficult to generalise.
2- The boy was diagnosed with phobia of buttons which even makes it less likely to be representative of the population.
3- In a case study there is less room for anonymity or objectivity which means there is a higher risk of bias which may compromise the validity. 
4- There may be researcher bias as one particular participant is selected who might give more of a positive outcome. 
5- Demand characteristics are more obvious which might have affected the ratings he gave to the different levels of exposure therapy.]]> 2020-12-14 14:25:12 UTC https://padlet.com/tulika_1991/ca1wn2r8vrog3yd0/wish/1016004082 tulika_1991 https://padlet.com/tulika_1991/ca1wn2r8vrog3yd0/wish/1016106941 - It was a subjective study.
- The participant created his own hierarchy of fear and disgust relating to his button phobia.
- He also gave personal ratings which were highly individual to his own thoughts and feelings. 
- As the aim of the study was to understand the experience of evaluative learning , these measures were appropriate.
- A scale created by the researchers for use with all phobic patients would not have been as relevant or informative about personal progress. ]]> 2020-12-14 14:46:17 UTC https://padlet.com/tulika_1991/ca1wn2r8vrog3yd0/wish/1016106941