Abnormal Psychology Questions
Q1. According to your text please describe how negative reinforcement increases the avoidance behaviors often associated with anxiety.
Negative reinforcement refers to the withdrawal of an unpleasant stimulus to reward behavior. Using operant conditioning in a laboratory experiment, this might be accomplished by the withdrawal of an unpleasant sound when the desired behavior is completed. However, in the real world, for someone experiencing anxiety, the usual way in which someone suffering from this psychological disorder deals with the unpleasant feelings of anxiety (pounding heart, sweating, and racing thoughts) is to withdraw from the situation and avoid the triggering stimulus. Although this, on the surface, might seem to be sensible on the one hand, on the other hand it can result in the anxious individual becoming socially withdrawn or avoiding positive life experiences because of the fear. For fears of very common things—such as driving—it can significantly impair the individual’s ability to engage in normal social behavior.
Q2. What percentage of individuals diagnosed with an anxiety disorder have another disorder or depression?
An estimated 60% of people with a diagnosed anxiety disorder also suffer from depression (Cameron, 2007).
Q3. What is the average age of onset for anxiety disorders?
According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (2020), 31 is the average age of onset of anxiety disorders.
Q4. Fear and anxiety disorders are more often reported by girls and women than men and boys. However, when placed in anxiety-producing situations, both sexes show equal physiological...
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