High anxiety: phobias

1. Vocabulary preview
1 objective - E A Special features that someone or
something has.
2 psychology - C B Very unusual or unreasonable
3 extreme - B C The scientific study of the mind and
how it works, and how mental problems
can be treated.
4 rational - F D Put into categories or groups.
5 to display - E Something you are working hard to
achieve, goal.
6 to treat F Able to think clearly. And make good
decisions; sensible.
7 characteristics - A G To clearly show a feeling, attitude, or
quality.
8 to develop H Usual, typical, or expected.
9 normal I To grow or change into something
bigger or more advanced.
10 classified J To give someone medical attention for
a sickness or injury.
2. Before you listen
You will hear a lecture about phobias. Why do you think some people are very afraid of
certain things? Think of 2 possible reasons.

3. Listening for main ideas

Check the ideas below that were mentioned in the lecture.
1. Psychology is very popular field of study.
x 2. Phobias are actually a fairly common psychological problem.
x 3. Unlike a normal fear, a phobia is an extreme fear.
x 4. People with phobias often have strong physical reactions.
x 5. A defining characteristic of a phobia is that the reaction is difficult to
control.
6. People with phobias are usually afraid to go to doctors.
x 7. Phobias can only be learned.
8. Being attacked by a dog can cause a phobia of dogs.
x 9. Some phobias reflect more serious underlying problems.
x 10. Psychologists have not found a successful treatment for phobias yet.

4. Listening for details

Write the letter of the phrase that best completes each statement.
1. The speaker’s brother avoided a. work at a pet store. 4
2. If you know Greek or Latin b. you can guess the phobia by its
name. 2
3. Phobias can last c. not participate in sleep research.
5
 4. A person with cynophobia
shouldn’t
5. Someone with hypnophobia
would probably
6. A girl who shakes whenever she
sees a dog
7. A person can develop a phobia by
8. Someone with aerophobia would
not
9. Someone with a fear of the dark
may
10. The objective of psychologists
who follow the second theory is
d. using a computer - 1
e. for months or years 3
f. have a more serious problem 9
g. could have cynophobia 6
h. to identify and treat the deeper
problem 10
i. observing the reactions of others.
7
j. become a flight attendant 8

Answer the questions below:

1. What is a phobia?
2. What are the 3 characteristics of a phobia?
3. How are phobias classified, or named?
4. What are the 2 theories about why people have phobias?
5. How are the treatments different?