Can VR treat fears and phobias? - 6 Minute English

Virtual reality - also known as VR - allows you to put on a headset and escape into a completely different world. In this programme, we’ll be hearing about some of the ways VR is helping people overcome phobias and even tackling serious problems like domestic violence. Rob and Sam discuss the topic and teach you related English vocabulary along the way.

This week's question:
One of the phobias VR can help with is the fear of heights – but what is the proper name for this psychological disorder?
a) alektorophobia
b) arachnophobia
c) acrophobia
Listen to the programme to find out the answer.

Vocabulary
phobia
strong and irrational fear of something; a type of anxiety disorder

simulation
pretend copy of something that looks real but is not real

habitual
the usual, typical way something works

drop your defences
relax and trust people by lowering the psychological barriers you have built up to protect yourself

first-person
from the perspective of someone who actually experiences an event in person

novel
completely new and original; not like anything that has been experienced before

[Cover: Getty Images]
You can download audio and text here:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2022/ep-220512

More 6 Minute English episodes:

Are you afraid of numbers?
https://youtu.be/DvBWBSl2DKA

Britain's love affair with coffee
https://youtu.be/fJoCs5Z_QvE

Intimacy on screen
https://youtu.be/4pDImFxHNuY

Personalised diets
https://youtu.be/dJZ9CSbGueU

How green is nuclear energy?
https://youtu.be/naB_3XYRtew

Why we forget the things we learn
https://youtu.be/1iHeeMlOsyc

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