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Social Phobia

Introduction

An unreasonable sort of fear can cause avoidance and panic is called Phobia. Phobias are

relatively common type of anxiety disorder which can be treated with cognitive behavior

therapy, using exposure or fear- reduction techniques. According to the American Psychiatric

Association, a phobia is an irrational and excessive fear of an object or situation. In most cases,

the phobia involves a sense of endangerment or a fear of being harmed. Phobia Symptoms can be

seen through exposure to the feared object or situation,. However, some typical symptoms

associated with phobias include;

• Dizziness, trembling and increased heart rate

• Breathlessness

• Nausea

• A sense of unreality

• Fear of dying

The American Psychiatric Association categorizes phobias into three different types :

 Social Phobia: It involves a fear of social situations. This fear may center on a very

particular type of social situation such as public speaking. In other instances, people may

fear to perform any task in front of other people for fear that they will be somehow

publicly embarrassed

 Agoraphobia: It involves a fear of being trapped in an inescapable place or situation. The

phobic individual may begin to avoid such situations. If the individual having this fear

became pervasive they may even fear to leave their home.

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 Specific Phobia: It involves a fear of a particular object. Such phobias falls into one of

four different categories: situational, animals, medical or environmental.

Phobias are quite common, with social phobia affecting about 7 percent of adult in a given year

and specific phobias of adult in a given year and specific phobias affecting approximately 9

percent according to the National Institute of Mental Health. In general, women are affected

more than men. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder, about 10

percent of reported phobia cases become life-long phobias.

There are number of treatment approaches for phobia but the effectiveness of each

approach of each approach depends on the person and their type of phobia.

One type of exposure treatment is flooding, in which the patient is confronted by the feared

object for an extended length of time without the opportunity the escape. The goal of the method

is to help the individual face, their fear and realize that the feared object will not harm them.

Another method is counter-conditioning. In this method the person is taught a new response to

the feared object. Rather than panic in the face the person learns relaxation techniques to replace

anxiety and fear.

For people with social phobia, medication like a low dose of a benzodiazepine or an anti-

depressant in combination with cognitive-behavioral therapy can be helpful.

Objective

To measure the level of Social Anxiety using SPIN

Test Description

The test is done with help of Social Phobia Inventory also known as SPIN. The SPIN is a 17 item

self-rating scale for social anxiety disorder. It covers the main spectrum of social anxiety
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disorder. It covers the main spectrum of social phobia such as fear, avoidance and physiological

symptoms SPIN can be measured by a choice of the fire answers based on scale of intensity of

social Phobia signs ranging from ''Not at all" to ''Extremely". The Scale was developed by

Jonathan Davidson.

Method

1. Participant details

Name Age Sex Education Health

R.R 23 F Undergraduate Stable
A.R 22 M Undergraduate Stable

2. Materials used

 Pen

 Paper

 Spin scale

3. Procedure

All the requirements for the test were arranged. Participants were given information about the

test of social phobia and SPIN scale was given. Consent was taken from the participants and

test was done.

Instruction

“Please be seated. This is an experiment of social phobia. Here we experiment the level of social

anxiety disorder with the help of 17 self-rating scale questionnaire. You can take as much time

you need. Be comfortable and fill up this questionnaire. All the information will be confidential.”

Result

Sex Total Raw Score Severity

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M 23 Mild
F 18 None

Discussion and conclusion

The test results showed that the male respondent showed mild social phobia while the female

respondent showed no social phobia. It can be inferred from this that male are more likely to

suffer from social and are more susceptible to social phobia. It can be recommended that males

be given a special treatment and a friendlier environment to reduce their chances and risks for

social phobia.
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Adjustment and Neuroticism

Introduction

Adjustment

In psychology, adjustment refers to the behavioral process of balancing conflicting needs, or

needs challenged by obstacles in the environment. Humans and animals regularly adjust to their

environment. For example, when they are stimulated by their physiological state to seek food,

they eat (if possible) to reduce their hunger and thus adjust to the hunger stimulus. Adjustment

disorder occurs when there is an inability to make a normal adjustment to some need or stress in

the environment.

Characteristics of a well-adjusted person can be listed as:

 Ability to adequately function

 Ability to perform adaptive tasks

 High positive affect and low negative affect

 General satisfaction in various life domains

 Absence of debilitating psychological disorders

In general, the adjustment process involves four parts:

 A need or motive in the form of a strong persistent stimulus,

 The thwarting or nonfulfillment of this need,

 Varied activity, or exploratory behavior accompanied by problem solving,

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 Some response that removes or at least reduces the initiating stimulus and completes the

adjustment.

Neuroticism

Neuroticism is a trait in many models within personality theory, but there is a lot of disagreement

on its definition. Some define it as a tendency for quick arousal when stimulated and slow

relaxation from arousal; others define it as emotional instability and negativity or maladjustment,

in contrast to emotional stability and positivity, or good adjustment. Others yet define it as lack

of self-control, poor ability to manage psychological stress, and a tendency to complain. Various

personality tests produce numerical scores, and these scores are mapped onto the concept of

"neuroticism" in various ways, which has created some confusion in the scientific literature,

especially with regard to sub-traits or "facets".

Individuals who score low in neuroticism tend to be more emotionally stable and less

reactive to stress. They tend to be calm, even-tempered, and less likely to feel tense or rattled.

Although they are low in negative emotion, they are not necessarily high on positive emotion.

Being high in scores of positive emotion is generally an element of the independent trait of

extraversion. Neurotic extraverts, for example, would experience high levels of both positive and

negative emotional states, a kind of "emotional roller coaster".

Objective

To measure the level of adjustment using ANDI,

Test Description
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The ANDI is a 105 item self-rating scale for psychological adjustment. The scale includes items

assessing seven different domains of psychological adjustment (self-esteem – self inferiority,

happiness – depression, calmness – anxiety, naturality – obsessiveness, independence –

dependence, feeling of being healthy – hypochondriasis, innocence – guilt feeling). The scale

was developed by Dr. Ram Nayan Singh and Dr. Mahesh Bhargava of India.

Method

1) Participants

Name Age Sex Education Health

S.T 25 M Graduate Stable

M.J 22 F Undergraduate Stable

2) Material used

 Pen

 Paper

 ANDI scale

3) Procedure

All the required materials for the test were arranged. Information regarding the test was given

to the participants. Participants were convinced taken consent and test was conducted.

Instruction

''Please make yourself comfortable. This test is about ANDI. Here are several question, each

question has three options. It measures the level of adjustment. Make sure to answer all the
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questions and no one of them remains unanswered. Your personal information will not be

disclosed."

Result

Conflict Sten Score Interpretation

Male Female Male Female
Self-esteem – Self-inferiority 2 5 Better adjustment Average
Happiness – Depression 5 5 Average Average
Calmness – Anxiety 4 7 Better Adjustment Maladjusted
Naturality – Obsessiveness 7 7 Maladjustment Maladjusted
Independence – Dependence 5 5 Average Average
Feeling of being healthy – 4 5 Better adjusted Average

Hypochondriasis
Innocence – Guilt feeling 6 5 Maladjustment Average

Discussion and Conclusion

The results indicate that the male respondent was better adjusted to more conflicts than the

female respondent. It can be inferred from the results that females are more susceptible to

adjustment problems than male. It may also be recommended that special attention and care

should be provided to women as they are more likely to experience adjustment problems.
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Case Study

Introduction

Case study refers to the use of a descriptive research approach to obtain an in-depth analysis of a

person, group, or phenomenon. A variety of techniques may be employed including personal

interviews, direct-observation, psychometric tests, and archival records. In psychology case

studies are most often used in clinical research to describe rare events and conditions, which

contradict well established principles in the field of psychology. Case studies are generally a

single-case design, but can also be a multiple-case design, where replication instead of sampling

is the criterion for inclusion. Like other research methodologies within psychology, the case

study must produce valid and reliable results in order to be useful for the development of future

research. Distinct advantages and disadvantages are associated with the case study in

psychology. The case study is sometimes mistaken for the case method, but the two are not the

same.

Case studies are often used in exploratory research. They can help us generate new ideas

(that might be tested by other methods). They are an important way of illustrating theories and

can help show how different aspects of a person's life are related to each other. The case study is

not itself a research method, but researchers select methods of data collection and analysis that

will generate material suitable for case studies. Amongst the sources of data the psychologist is

likely to turn to when carrying out a case study are observations of a person’s daily routine,

unstructured interviews with the participant herself (and with people who know her), diaries and

personal notes (e.g. letters, photographs, notes) Most of this information is likely to be

qualitative (i.e. verbal description rather than measurement) but the psychologist might collect

numerical data as well. The procedure used in a case study means that the researcher provides a
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description of the behavior. This comes from interviews and other sources, such as observation.

The client also reports detail of events from his or her point of view.

Case studies are used as a tool to facilitate learning on the part of the participants by the

trainer in the session. Case studies portray real life situations involving decision making by

participants on either a set of questions or through an open-ended discussion in the classroom.

Usually case studies are presented in a session by dividing the Participants into groups.

This enables the Participants to have a thorough analysis and understanding of the case.

Advantages

 The most important advantage of using a case study is that it simplifies complex

concepts.

 Case studies expose the participants to real life situations which otherwise is difficult.

 It truly helps in adding value to the Participants through discussion on concrete subjects.

 It improves -analytical thinking, communication, developing tolerance for different views

on the same subject, ability to defend one's own point of view with logic and enhances

team work of the participants making them efficient over time.

 The many solutions which come out of the case act as ready reference when participants

face similar problems at work place.

Disadvantages

 It might be difficult to find an appropriate case study to suit to all subjects.

 Case studies contain the study of observations and perception of one person. There are

chances that the person presenting the case study may completely present it in one

manner missing other aspects completely.

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 Managing time is a criterion in a training program. Case studies generally consume more

time when compared to other instruments. For shorter duration programs case studies

may not be the best medium.

 Since there is no one right answer, the problem arises in validation of the solutions

because there are more than one way to look at things.

 Its best suited to advanced training programs when compared to basic level training

programs and a certain level of maturity of participants is required as they have to

participate in the case discussion.

Objective

 To find information about an individual by using case study form.

Test Description

The case study form is a self-administered tool used for generating information about an

individual. The scale is divided into 5 sections that generate information relating to identification

data, demographic data, family history, birth history, and educational information. The scale was

developed by Dr. Rajshree Bhargava of India.

Method

1. Participant

Gender Age Education Health

Male 22 Undergraduate Stable

2. Materials Used

• Pen

• Case study form

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3. Procedure

The required equipment like pen and case study form were arranged. The respondent was

informed about experiment and purpose of conducting this experiment. The consent was

taken from respondent for case report. The questionnaire were provided to respondent

and requested to fill up the questionnaire.

Instruction

“Please be seated. I request you to fill of this questionnaire to help me to complete this case

study. Please feel free to ask, if you feel difficulty to understand questions. You can take as much

time you need. Be comfortable and fill up this questionnaire. This questionnaire includes

question about you and your personal history. All the information will be confidential”

Discussion and Conclusion

Identification Data

The respondent is 22 years old male and currently student of Bachelors level in K & K

International College. He is a Buddhist by religion and belongs to Newar cast. His blood group is

B+.

Demographic Data

His both father and mother’s occupation is service in education sector with education level of

BA. He is living with her both parents and is not adopted. His family have 2 children’s. His total

family income is Rs. 1 lakhs and mother tongue is Nepali. His permanent address is in

Manbhawan whereas his present address is in Dalachi, Kathmandu.

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Family History

He is staying in a nuclear family and their family status is intact. His both father and mother are

50 years old and are in service in education sector. They both have stable health condition. He

also has brother of 18 years. There is no history of epilepsy and mental illness in his family.

Birth History

He is first child of the family and has younger siblings. His mother has his birth at age of 28

years old. There was no attempted of abortion and threatened of abortion, no diabetes, no

consumption of alcohol and drugs during pregnancy. He was born mature at hospital. He had

birth cry and had developmental milestones normally. His language and speech development is

normal and no any speech disorder. He is legible to write to everyone including experimenter,

relatives and strangers. He does not us any adaptive equipment at home. He also had problem of

nail biting in childhood.

Educational Information

Currently he is going to a normal college. His scholastic performance is good and interested in

studies and goes college regularly. He has good peer group adjustment and good behaviour in

classroom. He has no problems like harming others, damaging property, hyperactive/impulsive

behaviour, sexual problem behaviour and anti-social behaviour.

Stress Management

Introduction
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Stress generally refers to two things: the psychological perception of pressure, on the one hand,

and the body's response to it, on the other, which involves multiple systems, from metabolism to

muscles to memory. Through hormonal signaling, the perception of danger sets off an automatic

response system, known as the fight-or-flight response, that prepares all animals to meet a

challenge or flee from it. A stressful event whether an external phenomenon like the sudden

appearance of a snake on your path or an internal event like fear of losing your job when the boss

yells at you triggers a cascade of hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol, that surge through

the body, speeding heartbeat and the circulation of blood, mobilizing fat and sugar for fast

energy, focusing attention, preparing muscles for action, and more. It generally takes some time

for the body to calm down after the stress response has been triggered.

Stress can also be defined as a condition of psychological and psychological imbalance

and overwhelming resulting from the discrepancy between the current and desired state of an

individual. Humans experience stress, or perceive things as threatening, when they do not believe

that their resources for coping with obstacles (stimuli, people, situations, etc.) are enough for

what the circumstances demand. When people think the demands being placed on them exceed

their ability to cope, they then perceive stress. It is basically the tension or anxiety caused by any

sort of pressure in everyday life. The ability to handle or minimize the physical and emotional

effects of such anxiety is known as one’s stress management skills.

Stress management

Stress management however is a range of techniques which is aimed at controlling level of stress

of a person, improving everyday functioning. The physical and mental symptoms of the stress

can hamper in the productivity of an individual working in an industry or an organization. The

process of stress management is one of the keys to be happy and successful in life, it is a way of
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managing anxiety and maintaining overall well – being. There are wide variety of techniques

available preferred by health professionals which helps an individual and even organization to

cope with stress, provide positive feelings and promote general well-being. The importance

given to stress management skills in workplace can be guessed from the fact that employers, in

many countries, have been burdened with a legal responsibility of recognizing as well as coping

with the workplace stress in order to ensure good mental and physical health of employees in

organization.

Stress management is a wide spectrum of techniques and psychotherapies aimed at controlling a

person's level of stress, especially chronic stress, usually for the purpose of improving everyday

functioning. In this context, the term 'stress' refers only to a stress with significant negative

consequences, or distress in the terminology advocated by Hans Selye, rather than what he calls

eustress, a stress whose consequences are helpful or otherwise.

Stress produces numerous physical and mental symptoms which vary according to each

individual's situational factors. These can include physical health decline as well as depression.

The process of stress management is named as one of the keys to a happy and successful life in

modern society.[1] Although life provides numerous demands that can prove difficult to handle,

stress management provides a number of ways to manage anxiety and maintain overall well-

being. Despite stress often being thought of as a subjective experience, levels of stress are readily

measurable, using various physiological tests, similar to those used in polygraphs. Many

practical stress management techniques are available, some for use by health professionals and

others, for self-help, which may help an individual reduce their levels of stress, provide positive

feelings of control over one's life and promote general well-being.

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Evaluating the effectiveness of various stress management techniques can be difficult, as

limited research currently exists. Consequently, the amount and quality of evidence for the

various techniques varies widely. Some are accepted as effective treatments for use in

psychotherapy, while others with less evidence favoring them are considered alternative

therapies. Many professional organizations exist to promote and provide training in conventional

or alternative therapies.

Objective

 To measure stress management level using SMS-KC.

Test Description

Stress Management scale tool is a manual that study and analyze the stress management level of

an individual. It comprises of 36 statements which are simple and understandable within a wide

range of understanding ability. The final version of 36 items scale on Stress Management

Techniques has half of the items randomly identified and worded as negative statement and the

rest as positive. The scale was developed by Dr. Vandana Kaushik and Dr. Namrata Arora

Chopra of India.

Method

1. Participant

Name Sex Age Marital Status Education Health

N.U M 22 Unmarried Undergraduate Stable
R.G F 25 Unmarried Undergraduate Stable

2. Material Used

Pencil

SMS-KC scale

3. Procedure
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In order to carry out the test, firstly there should be a respondent; in this case we have to

respondents’ one male and another female. The purpose behind the test or study was

clearly defined as it is just for educational purpose only, then the respondents were

educated about the statements and the way of marking it. Materials such as pencil and

pen were provided to them for the marking and told them to be as much as honest they

can be. After the compilations of the marking on each statement, the score of each

statement were encoded as per the manual and then later those raw scores were matched

with the z-score which revealed the grade and then the level of stress management of

respondents.

Instruction

“Please be seated. This is the SMS-KC scale which is used to assess stress management level. On

the following pages 36 items have been given. Read each carefully and then decide your

response on any six response points and put a tick mark on appropriate box. Respond to each

statement. Be assured, your responses will be kept confidential.”

Result

Respondent Range of Raw Scores Range of z-Score Grade Stress Management

Level
Male 75 -2.29 G Extremely Poor

Management
Female 152 +2.42 A Excellent Management

Discussion and Conclusion

As seen on the above result table, clearly the male respondent has extremely poor level of stress

management than the female. As per the marking, male respondents have raw score of 75 which

according to the SMS-KC manual is z-Score of -2.29 falls under G-Grade with the result of
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extremely poor management when it comes to stress management, where in the other hand, as

per the statement marking the female respondent has raw score of 152 which means z-Score of

+2.42 falling under A-Grade resulting in excellent management in stress management.

The male respondent seek treatment with a psychologist or other mental health professional

trained in stress management or biofeedback techniques to learn healthy ways of dealing with the

stress in his life and seek out social support and spend enough time with he would enjoy.
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adult life course: immutable or experience-dependent set points of negative affect?".

Clinical psychology review.

Passer, Michael W.; Smith, Ronald E. (2009). Psychology: the science of mind and behaviour.

McGraw-Hill Higher Education.

Paul Susic MA Licensed Psychologist Candidate. "Stress Management: What can you do?". St.

Louis Psychologists and Counseling Information and Referral. Archived from the

original on January 24, 2013. Retrieved February 5, 2013.

Passer, Michael W.; Smith, Ronald E. (2009). Psychology: the science of mind and behaviour.

McGraw-Hill Higher Education.

Richards, T. (2013). Social Anxiety Fact Sheet: What is Social Anxiety Disorder? Symptoms,

Treatment, Prevalence, Medications, Insight, Prognosis. Social Anxiety Association.

Richards, T. (2013). Social Anxiety Fact Sheet: What is Social Anxiety Disorder? Symptoms,

Treatment, Prevalence, Medications, Insight, Prognosis. Social Anxiety Association.

Stress. (2018). [Blog] Psychology Today. Available at: http://www.psychologytoday.com

[Accessed 19 Jul. 2018].