Phobias (AQA A Level Psychology)

A researcher wanted to investigate agoraphobia by studying Patient X. The researcher designed a questionnaire to find out about Patient X’s experiences. However, a colleague suggested that the researcher might do better to conduct a case study.

Explain one or more reasons why it might be better to conduct a case study than a questionnaire.

Outline one limitation of systematic desensitisation as a treatment for phobias

Outline one or more ways in which behaviourists treat phobias.

Max has a phobia of the sea. On a family holiday as a child, he was carried away by the tide and had to be rescued by a lifeguard. Now he has a family of his own, Max refuses to go on beach holidays.

Discuss the two-process model of phobias. Refer to Max’s phobia of the sea in your answer.