8. The Behavioural Approach To Explaining Phobias AO1

Question 1

What did Hobart Mowrer argue?

Answer 1

He argued that phobias are learned by classical conditioning and then maintained by operant conditioning (two processes are involved)

Question 2

What did Mowrer suggest about classical conditioning?

Answer 2

He suggested classical conditioning involves association

Question 3

Explain the process of classical conditioning in phobias

Answer 3

1. The UCS triggers an UCR (fear) E.g. getting bitten creates anxiety
2. NS is associated with the UCS despite not being the cause of original anxiety e.g. getting bitten by dog
3. NS becomes a CS produces a CR (fear) E.g. the dog becomes a source of fear

Question 4

Outline the procedure of the little Albert study

Answer 4

1. Whenever Albert played with the white rat, a loud noise was made close to his ear, the noise caused a fear response
2. The rat did not create fear until the bang and the rat had been paired together several times
3. Albert showed a fear response every time he came into contact with a rat

Question 5

What was the aim of the little Albert study?

Answer 5

To show how fear could be conditioned

Question 6

Discuss generalisation of fear to other stimuli

Answer 6

Little Albert also showed a fear in response to other white fairy objects including a fur coat and a Santa mask

Question 7

When does operant conditioning take place?

Answer 7

Operant conditioning takes place when our behaviour is reinforced or punished

Question 8

What does negative reinforcement cause?

Answer 8

An individual produces behaviour that avoids something unpleasant

Question 9

What happens when a phobic avoids a phobic stimulus?

Answer 9

They escape the anxiety that they would have experienced

Question 10

What does escaping the anxiety that would have been felt lead to?

Answer 10

This reduction in fear negatively reinforces the avoidance behaviour and the phobia is maintained

Question 11

Give an example of negative reinforcement

Answer 11

If someone has a fear of clowns they will avoid circuses and other situations where they may come across clowns, the relief out from avoiding clowns negatively reinforces the phobia and ensures it is maintained rather than confronted