Question

After being diagnosed with pyrophobia, the client states, "I believe this started at the age of 7 when I was trapped in a house fire." When examining theories of phobia etiology, this situation would be reflective of ____________ theory?

1) Behavioral
2) Cognitive
3) Biological
4) Psychodynamic

Answer 1

The client's development of pyrophobia after being trapped in a house fire at the age of 7 is an example of the Behavioral theory of phobia etiology, where phobias are considered to be learned via classical conditioning. This approach aligns with the explanatory model advocated by Arthur Kleinman, which values patient input in understanding and treating phobias effectively.

Step-by-step explanation:

The situation described by the student, where a client developed pyrophobia possibly due to being trapped in a house fire at a young age, reflects the Behavioral theory of phobia etiology. This theory suggests that phobias are learned through a process known as classical conditioning, where an individual associates a previously neutral stimulus with a negative event. In the client's case, the traumatic experience of being trapped in a house fire would be the aversive event that led to the development of pyrophobia, with fire being the stimulus now eliciting a strong feeling of fear.

It's important for healthcare providers to understand the underlying causes of their clients' phobias and to approach treatment decisions with an awareness of their beliefs, as noted by anthropologist and psychiatrist Arthur Kleinman. His approach, known as the explanatory model, emphasizes the significance of asking patients about their own explanations for their health issues, which can greatly assist in tailoring effective and appropriate treatments.

Answer 2

The situation described is reflective of the psychodynamic theory of phobia etiology.

Step-by-step explanation:

The situation described in the question is reflective of the psychodynamic theory of phobia etiology. Psychodynamic theory focuses on unconscious conflicts and childhood experiences as the root cause of mental disorders. In this case, the client's belief that their pyrophobia started at the age of 7 when they were trapped in a house fire suggests a connection between the traumatic event in childhood and the development of the phobia.