A researcher is investigating the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) exposure therapy for treating arachnophobia (specific phobia of spiders). Participants wear a VR headset and are gradually exposed to increasingly realistic virtual spiders. Which of the following statements BEST describes how the biopsychosocial approach explains the potential benefits of VR exposure therapy in this scenario?
VR exposure therapy primarily addresses the biological component by directly altering amygdala activity, reducing the fear response through repeated exposure.
VR exposure therapy primarily addresses the psychological component by allowing participants to challenge their irrational thoughts and catastrophic predictions about spiders in a safe and controlled environment, leading to cognitive restructuring and reduced anxiety.
VR exposure therapy primarily addresses the social component by providing a supportive group environment where participants can share their experiences and learn coping strategies from others with arachnophobia.
VR exposure therapy equally addresses all three components of the biopsychosocial model by simultaneously targeting biological reactivity, cognitive distortions, and social support networks.
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Create Free Account Log inThis is a free VCE Units 3 & 4 Psychology practice question worth 1 mark, testing your understanding of Specific phobia subheading. It falls under What influences mental wellbeing? in Unit 4: How is mental wellbeing supported and maintained?. Submit your answer above to receive instant AI-powered marking and personalised feedback.
In this unit students explore the demand for sleep and the influences of sleep on mental wellbeing. They consider how changes to a person’s sleep-wake cycle can affect psychological functioning. Students explore the concept of mental wellbeing, including social and emotional wellbeing as a multidimensional and holistic framework. They apply a biopsychosocial approach to specific phobia, exploring how biological, psychological and social factors are involved in its development and management. A student-designed scientific investigation involving the generation of primary data related to mental processes and mental wellbeing is undertaken in either Unit 3 or Unit 4 or across both Units 3 and 4, and is assessed in Outcome 3 of this unit.
In this area of study students explore mental wellbeing in terms of social and emotional wellbeing, levels of functioning, and resilience to cope with and manage change. They consider mental wellbeing as a continuum influenced by internal and external factors. Students apply a biopsychosocial approach to specific phobia, investigating biological, psychological and social factors in its development and management. Students also consider the importance of cultural determinants as integral to the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
**Application of a biopsychosocial approach to explain specific phobia**
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