Aims and Context Bennett-levy and Marteau (1984)

Created by: thehareyone
Created on: 19-04-14 12:59

Describe the context of Bennett-Levy

Darwin- Evolutionary psychology- nature/nurture- people who were not fearful of dangerous things in the past did not survive to pass on their genes - Some traits such as fear of animals is adaptive.

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Seligman provides some context for B-L's study, describe his research

"biological preparedness"- inherited predisposition to fear certain animal. Explains how some animal phobias occur with no traumatic event. Tested theory by number of electric shocks needed to create a phobia of spiders/snakes and flowers.

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What results did Seligman find when he did his "biological preparedness" study on spiders, snakes and flowers?

2-4 little shocks were needed to create a phobia of snakes/spiders but significantly more large shocks were needed to create a phobia of flowers- people are biologically prepared to be afraid to fear things that could threaten our survival.

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HInde (1974) provides context for B-L's study, describe his research

"discrepancy Principle"- we fear animals that differ from us- (lots of legs etc). Therapists support this as chronic phobias undergoing treatment talk about how it looks/moves rather than what real danger they present.

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What were B-L's aims?

1/) to find out whether it is the appearance/movement of animals which makes us fear them 2.) to find out whether these fears are due to biological preparedness.

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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Seligman provides some context for B-L's study, describe his research

Back

Card 3

Front

What results did Seligman find when he did his "biological preparedness" study on spiders, snakes and flowers?

Back

Card 4

Front

HInde (1974) provides context for B-L's study, describe his research

Back

Card 5

Front

What were B-L's aims?

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Aims and Context Bennett-levy and Marteau (1984)