There are numerous theories that attempt to explain the development and manifest

Question

There are numerous theories that attempt to explain the development and manifestation of psychological disorders. Some researchers hold that certain disorders result from learned behaviors (behavioral theory), while other researchers believe that there is a genetic or biological basis to psychological disorders (medical model), while still others hold that psychological disorders stem from unresolved unconscious conflict (psychoanalytic theory). How would each of these theoretical viewpoints explain anxiety disorders? Does one explain the development and manifestation of anxiety disorders better than the others?

Explanation / Answer

Behavioural theory-The basic theory is that anxiety is a learned response based on stimulus-response ("classical") conditioning. In other words, the mind in question has learned that a particular stimulus (let's say, the phone ringing in the middle of the night) means that a negative reinforcer is about to occur (hearing that a family member has taken ill). The first time that happened, there was a very bad outcome, so the mind was conditioned to expect that outcome the next time. The result is increased heart rate, rise in body temperature, and all the associated unconscious chemical reactions of a panic situation. If the response was learned, then it can be "unlearned" (extinguished) by replacing it with a better, less dangerous response. That's what behavior therapy is all about. Behavioral theory holds that anxiety results from not knowing how to behave in a given situation. The possibility of suffering negative consequences because of inappropriate behavior may result in hesitation and inaction. The anxiety may be generalized to similar situations. For example, anxiety over taking a particular test may be generalized to taking all tests in the future. The psychodynamic theory of psychology sees anxiety as an alerting mechanism that arises when our unconscious motivations clash with the constraints of our conscious mind. This conflict is intensified in people with Generalized anxiety disorder. From a psychodynamic perspective, social anxiety disorder is believed to be part of a larger problem that develops during childhood. Scientists with this perspective view anxiety as a disorder of childhood origin. Therefore, they see your social anxiety as resulting from your early experiences and attachments to your caregivers and other important people in your life. According to psychodynamic theory, your social anxiety may be the result of the following: an expectation of shame and humiliation elicited by critical or harsh parents a conflict between your need to achieve and succeed, and your fear of success a conflict between your need for independence and your fear of rejection or abandonment by your parents your narcissistic fear of being unable to make a perfect impression Biological theory-The intricacies of our bodies, especially our brains, are presumed to be involved in the origins and maintenance of anxiety disorders. As mentioned, biological factors (or vulnerabilities) usually have to be in place for an anxiety disorder to manifest. With respect to anxiety disorders, genetic predisposition has been implicated in Panic Disorder and Phobias. At birth, there are observable temperamental differences. These differences appear to be a function of genetics. Some babies are much more sensitive to stimulation and stress than are other babies. These differences remain as the child matures. People born with these extra-sensitive temperaments are thought to be at greater risk for developing anxiety disorders later in life because their nervous system is more easily aroused. People with these extra-sensitive temperaments are prone to experience greater intensity, frequency, and duration of anxiety symptoms, than people with less-sensitive temperaments. Therefore, they are more likely to experience pathological levels of anxiety. Genetics certainly account for some of the biological differences between people, but our biological make-up also accounts for the similarities among people. One such similarity is the human response to fear. This response is known as the fight-or-flight response. This adaptive response serves to protect people from danger. The autonomic nervous system, along with these hormones and neurotransmitters, all have key roles in the production of anxiety symptoms as the body prepares for action. So when our bodies sense some sort of danger or threat, the amygdala, via the hypothalamus, sends a message to the autonomic nervous system to prepare for action (fight-or-flight). Due to time limit,any remaining questions can be asked as another question,they will be answered,thankyou for your cooperation

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