Arachnophobia: the Fear of Spiders

question 171

Multiple Choice

Arachnophobia: The Fear of Spiders
Have you ever jumped at the unexpected sight of a black eight-legged spider? If you have, you are not alone. It has been estimated that as many as one in three women and one in four men have experienced varying degrees of arachnophobia, more commonly known as a fear of spiders. Since the term phobia means an extreme fear of a particular object or idea, not everyone who dislikes spiders has a phobia. In fact, the level of fear experienced by people with classic cases of arachnophobia include interruptions of daily life, such as refusing to clean the house in fear of finding a spider or cobweb. Although the exact reason behind society's fear of spiders is still up to question, scientists have provided various theories that shed light on the possible reasonings behind the phenomenon.
One theory, for example, dates back to our ancestors. While most spiders do not pose a serious risk to humans, they are in some way venomous, and a fear of spiders in Paleolithic times may have helped humans survive and reproduce. Other scientists, however, disagree with this theory, since fears of deadlier animals and insects (such as scorpions and tigers) are not as common as arachnophobia. Some scientists have also posited that the fear of spiders came about from negativity regarding the species that has been passed down through generations. In other words, even if most spiders aren't deadly, people have been taught to have strong, negative reactions to them throughout history.
Psychologists have put forth two major cognitive-behavioral techniques (CBT) aimed at helping those experiencing the potentially debilitating effects of arachnophobia, which can include not being able to go to work or perform daily tasks. The first CBT technique, known as Cognitive Reframing, helps change the way a patient perceives various triggers. The goal of this technique is to change one's physical reaction to spiders, thus eliminating the severity of the phobia. Those who undergo this therapy are encouraged to challenge the fearful thoughts associated with spiders and replace them with positive thoughts. Systematic Desensitization, on the other hand, is a product of classical conditioning and behavioral therapy. This therapy includes relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation, which seek to calm stressful physical responses to the phobia.
In more intense cases of arachnophobia, however, antidepressant or anti-anxiety medications are prescribed as a way to coincide with the effects of CBT therapy and offer additional support. Psychologists believe that the combination of medication and CBT therapy could lead to quicker, more stable results in patients. Interestingly, virtual reality therapy, which includes fake, virtual representations of phobias, may be just as effective as traditional treatments. However, a virtual eight-legged spider is not as scary as the real thing!
Which of the following is the author's main purpose for paragraph 2?

• A)To provide examples of treatments associated with arachnophobia
• B)To provide a brief background on the potential causes of arachnophobia
• C)To provide anecdotal evidence of the effects of arachnophobia
• D)To provide a look into the future of treatments for phobias

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