AP PSYCHOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -The following may help lead to the development of phobias in children: Shyness or withdrawing from unfamiliar situations or people (behavioral inhibitions) as a child. Having negative or traumatic life events early in childhood. Mental health issues in family members.

Detailed explanation-2: -What are specific phobias? A child has anxiety when exposed to a certain object or situation. He or she stays away from the object or situation, dreads it or endures it with so much fear that it interferes with normal activities. Some common phobias are a fear of animals, insects, blood, heights or flying.

Detailed explanation-3: -Simple phobias often disappear on their own as the child gets older and usually do not cause problems in adulthood. Complex phobias usually start later in life. Social phobias often begin during puberty and agoraphobia in the late teens to early twenties. Sometimes, complex phobias continue for many years.

Detailed explanation-4: -Phobias can happen in early childhood. But they are often first seen between ages 15 and 20. They affect both men and women equally. But men are more likely to seek treatment for phobias.