4.2.2 Behavioural explanations for phobias Flashcards
What is the two-process model?
The two-process model is an explanation for the onset and persistence of disorders that create anxiety, this includes phobias.
What are the two processes in the two-process model?
/The acquisition of the phobia by classical conditioning
/Maintenance by operant conditioning
What is the neutral stimulus?
Phobic objects are at first a neutral stimulus (NS) and do not produce a phobic response.
What is the unconditioned stimulus?
Phobic objects are at first a neutral stimulus (NS) and do not produce a phobic response.
What is the unconditioned response?
An unconditioned response is an automatic response to a stimulus.
What is the order of classical conditioning?
/Phobic objects are at first a neutral stimulus (NS) and do not produce a phobic response
/However, if it is then presented with an unconditioned stimulus (UCS), that produces an unconditioned response (UCR) then, the NS will become associated with the UCS and then the fear (phobia), will occur whenever the NS is there
/This means the NS becomes a conditioned stimulus (CS) and the UCR becomes the conditioned response (CR)
/This conditioning is then generalised to similar objects
Explain maintenance by operant conditioning?
/If a person avoids the phobic object or situation then anxiety is greatly reduced, which is rewarding for the sufferer
/Operant conditioning happens when behaviour is reinforced; by avoiding something unpleasant and being rewarded through not experiencing anxiety, we are reinforcing the avoidant behaviour
/Mowrer suggests this is what happens when we avoid the phobic stimulus; we reduce the fear and this reduction in fear reinforces the avoidance behaviour and so the phobia is maintained
What is an example of acquisition of a phobia?
/Littler Albert (1920) Baby and rat
Strengths of behavioural explanations of phobias?
Real-World Application
The two-process model has real-world application, it explains using two distinctive elements how phobias are both created and maintained.Watson and Rayner’s ‘Little Albert’ study supports the two-process model as they showed how a frightening experience can be conditioned.
Limitations of behavioural explanations of phobias
Cognitive Aspects of Phobias
The two-process model does not account for the cognitive processes associated with phobias, behavioural explanations focus on the cause of behaviours, however, cognitive components play a significant part in why someone has a phobia. Not all phobias appear following a bad experience and the phobia of snakes is evidenced in many people who have no experience of them, which does not support the two-process model.
