Jenny is Afraid of Spiders When She Was just a Child, She Was Bitten by a Spider: Psychological Science Assignment, JCU, Singapore

Assessment Task 3: Application Assignment Prompt

Jenny is afraid of spiders. When she was just a child, she was bitten by a spider during her visit to a nature reserve. The bite itself was very painful and it triggered a severe allergic reaction which resulted in her being hospitalized for three days. Ever since then, she has been fearful of all spiders.

This has not really been an issue in her daily life until about a year ago when Jenny’s stress levels spiked due to high workloads in a new job. Her fear of spiders was greatly augmented, such that even the mere sight of a harmless house spider would trigger a full-blown panic attack. Even pictures of fictional characters reminiscent of spiders are enough to induce trembling, increased heart rate, and shortness of breath now. Her psychologist has suggested that she has arachnophobia.

Using the principles discussed in our lectures, tutorials, and assigned readings, evaluate the presented problem in terms of associative learning. Discuss how associative learning is involved in the creation and maintenance of this response/behavior. Also, think about the relevant evolutionary basis and contextual factors pertaining to this behavior. Be specific about the identification of CS, CR, UR, and the US. Then, create a behavior modification plan to treat or change her behavior so that she would no longer experience this phobia.

Think about any evolutionary predispositions that you could potentially target and possible contextual modulations that you could potentially deploy. While certain cognitive components are involved, do bear in mind that the main focus of this assignment is the application of associative learning principles. As such, you must use learning theory and empirical research to justify how and why the various intervention(s) that you have come up with will work. Be specific about how you would try to modify her behavior and what you

Step 1: Introduce the key theories

Introduce to your reader what associative learning is about. Then, introduce what classical conditioning (or its relevant variant) and operant (i.e., instrumental) conditioning are about.

Step 2: Evaluate the scenario (i.e., introduce the issue and break it down)

Evaluate and assess the scenario in terms of US, UR, CS, and CR.

This is also where you would introduce the background literature on the specific behavioral issue highlighted in the scenario.

Step 3: Explain the mechanisms (which would illuminate intervention target points)

There are two components to explain here.

1. Acquisition of the behavior

2. Maintenance of the behavior

Part 1 relates to the “associative perspective” and is typically an elucidation via classical conditioning or its variant.

Part 2 relates to the “Skinnerian perspective” and is typically an elucidation via operant conditioning.

Step 4: Discuss other relevant factors/variables

For this step, introduce and discuss what other factors may be relevant towards to acquisition and maintenance of the behavior. You may talk about how certain contextual cues/occasion setter may have been involved. You may also talk about how the behavior (or learning of the particular association) might have aided us in our survival during ancestral times. (e.g., biological preparedness, continuity, and contingency)

There is no single correct approach for this step; critical and creative thinking are necessary. This is yet another key section where you can distinguish yourself from the rest.

Step 5: Describe your behavior modification plan in detail

Here is where you will present your behavior modification plan. It is important that you explicitly attempt to relate your customized plan to:

1. Existing, empirically validated interventions (you can employ a combination of different interventions)

2. Specific mechanisms/factors presented in Steps 3 and 4

Your plan should be clear on

• The exact steps and sequence, such that it can be understood and implemented by any psychologist
• The supporting rationale and intended effect of each step

You should also acknowledge and discuss the potential limitations of your plan.

Step 6: Conclude

Provide a brief summary of the key points of your script – namely, the problem behavior, the relevant factors, and underlying mechanisms, and how your behavioral plan would address those factors/mechanisms to ameliorate the behavioral issue.