5. Behabioural Approach To Explaining Phobias Flashcards
What is the behavioural approach?
A way of explaining behaviour in terms of what is observable and in terms of learning
What is the two process model ?
Phobias are acquired by classical conditioning and then maintain due to operant conditionioning
Who proposed the two process model ?
Hobart Mowrer
What is the neutral stimulus ?
A neutral stimulus is a stimulus which initially produces no specific response
Explain classical conditioning?
where a NS is constantly paired with a UCS while producing an UCR
the NS eventually takes on the properties of this UCS
it then Becomes the CS capeable of producing a CR
What is the first stage before conditioning?
A UCS naturally elicits a UCR whereas a NS produces no response
What is Stage 2 during conditioning ?
The NS is experienced at the same time as UCS
This pairing may need to occur numerous times for learning to take place
What is Stage 3 after conditioning ?
Once the two stimuli have become associated the NS becomes a CS that produces the response on its own ( now called the CR)
What was the aim of little alberts study ?
To investigate whether phobias could be learned through the processes of classical conditioning
What was the procedure in little alberts study ?
11 month old boy
Presented with a series of objects and animals which he showed no emotional response to
Neutral stimuli- the white rat which they presented while striking a bar with a hammer
Repeated for 3 weeks
What were the findings in little Alberta study ?
Learned an association between the white rat and the noise and became frightened whenever he saw the rat. This fear generalised to other similar objects- fur coat
What does reinforcement do ?
Increase the frequency of a behvay
What is the first stage in maintenance by operant conditioning work Via negative reinforcement ?
An individual with social anxiety will feel a reduction in fear if they decide to avoid the phobic stimulus
What is the second stage in maintenance by operant conditioning work Via negative reinforcement ?
This avoidance results in the removal of the unpleasant anxiety
What is the third stage in maintenance by operant conditioning work Via negative reinforcement ?
Avoidance behaviour therefore acts as a negative reinforcement as it removes fear
Supporting evidence for phobias being learned through classical conditioning
Research suggests many people do recall a specific incident relating to when their phobias first appeared such as being bitten by a dog of experiencing a panic attack (sue at al)
It is a scientific explanation
The research used to support the explanation is easy to falsify. Using lab experiments the manipulation of the NS and measurement of CR and can be observed and tested
Alternative explanations of biological preparedness may explain the initiation of phobias
Humans may be genetically programmed to rapidly learn an association between life-threatening stimuli and fear. These stimuli are ancient fears which would have threatened survival in the evolutionary past
Conclusion of alternative explanations
This means the approach over- emphasises nurture and ignores the Role of nature (evolution) in phobias
The behavioural explanation for phobias is accused of being reductionist
This means it attempts to explain phobias as being purely a result of simple stimulus-response learning associations and nothing else. This means that we may be ignoring biological and cognitive explanations for abnormalities such as imbalances of neurotransmitters and irrational thought processes
Conclusion for reductionist
Phobias are most likely caused by a combination of different factors all working together, not simply conditioning
what was the problem with little alberts phobia
it generalized to other white objects such as rabbit, fur coat and santa clause.
what does operant conditioning not explain
why individuals continue to feel fearful or why individuals avoid the feared object
what is avoidance of the phobic stimulus known as
Negative reinforcement
What is the diathesis stress model ?
according to the two process model, an association between a neutral stimulus and a fearful experience will result in a phobia. research has found that not everyone who is bitten by a dog develops a phobia of them. This can be explained by the diathesis stress model. proposing that we inherit genetic vulnerability for developing mental disorders. However, a disorder will only manifest itself if triggered by a life event
What is the support for the social learning theory ?
Support for social learning…..an experiment supported the social learning explanation. in the experiment a model acted as if he was in pain every time a buzzer sounded. later on those participants who observed this showed an emotional reaction to the buzzer, demonstrating an acquired ‘fear’ response.
How does the approach ignore cognitive factors ?
the cognitive approach proposes that phobias may develop as the consequence of irrational thinking such thoughts increase anxiety and trigger a phobia. The value of this alternative explanation is that it leads to cognitive therapies such as CBT that may be more successful than the behaviourist treatments.
What reaction did Albert have to the rat before he was conditioned?
He tried to play with it
What is the unconditioned stimulus in the Little Albert experiment?
Loud noise
What is the unconditioned response in the Little Albert experiment?
Fear
What is the neutral stimulus in the Little Albert experiment?
Rat
What is the conditioned stimulus in the Little Albert experiment?
The rat
What is the conditioned response?
Fear of rat
What did Mowrer suggest about avoidance of a phobic stimulus?
It results in a desirable consequence, meaning the behaviour will be repeated
What is an issue with the idea of classical conditioning starting a phobia?
Some people develop phobias without having a bad experience
What is biological preparedness? Seligman (1971)
The innate predisposition to acquire certain fears
