A VCE Psychology student is preparing a presentation on the biopsychosocial model and specific phobias. They plan to use the example of arachnophobia (fear of spiders) to illustrate the model. Which of the following statements BEST demonstrates how the student could explain the integrated influence of these factors, rather than listing them separately?
The student explains that arachnophobia involves biological factors like genetic predisposition to anxiety, psychological factors such as classical conditioning experiences with spiders, and social factors like cultural beliefs about spiders being dangerous.
The student explains that a genetic predisposition (biological) may make someone more reactive to a frightening encounter with a spider (psychological), which is then exacerbated by negative media portrayals of spiders (social), leading to a phobia.
The student explains that arachnophobia can be treated with benzodiazepines (biological), cognitive behavioral therapy (psychological), and psychoeducation to reduce stigma (social).
The student explains that arachnophobia is caused by GABA dysfunction (biological), catastrophic thinking (psychological), and specific environmental triggers (social).
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Create Free Account Log inThis is a free VCE Units 3 & 4 Psychology practice question worth 1 mark, testing your understanding of Phobia development. It falls under What influences mental wellbeing? in Unit 4: How is mental wellbeing supported and maintained?. Submit your answer above to receive instant AI-powered marking and personalised feedback.
In this unit students explore the demand for sleep and the influences of sleep on mental wellbeing. They consider how changes to a person’s sleep-wake cycle can affect psychological functioning. Students explore the concept of mental wellbeing, including social and emotional wellbeing as a multidimensional and holistic framework. They apply a biopsychosocial approach to specific phobia, exploring how biological, psychological and social factors are involved in its development and management. A student-designed scientific investigation involving the generation of primary data related to mental processes and mental wellbeing is undertaken in either Unit 3 or Unit 4 or across both Units 3 and 4, and is assessed in Outcome 3 of this unit.
In this area of study students explore mental wellbeing in terms of social and emotional wellbeing, levels of functioning, and resilience to cope with and manage change. They consider mental wellbeing as a continuum influenced by internal and external factors. Students apply a biopsychosocial approach to specific phobia, investigating biological, psychological and social factors in its development and management. Students also consider the importance of cultural determinants as integral to the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
the relative influences of factors that contribute to the development of specific phobia, with reference to gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) dysfunction and long-term potentiation (biological); behavioural models involving precipitation by classical conditioning and perpetuation by operant conditioning, and cognitive biases including memory bias and catastrophic thinking (psychological); and specific environmental triggers and stigma around seeking treatment (social)
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