A2 Psychology: Phobia (Biological Approach)

Phobia: Biological Approach

-phobias are biological disorders (medical) so there is treatment available for it and it can be cured.

Causes for phobias:

• genes
• brain malfunction/ injury/ damage
• chemical imbalance

Research Methods:

• Twin studies- MZ (identical)twins have a higher concordance compared to DZ (non-identical) twins.
• Family studies- concordance rates gets lower the further away (uncles, cousins etc) 

Treatments:

• Drugs (Beta-blockers)
• Brain surgery (last resort)

Criticisms:

-Drugs can only cure the symptoms not cure the actual phobia

-theory ignores environmental causes

3 Biological Explanations:

1. Genes

2. Neurology (nervous system of the brain)

3. Evolutionary

Genetic Evidence- Family studies

Solyom, 1974

- In a study of 47 phobics

• 45% had family history of phobics compared to 19% in general public

Fyer, 1990

- with immediate relatives of specific phobics

• 31% were phobic BUT only 4% had the same type of phobia

Noyes, 1986

- immediate relatives…