Atypical Behaviour

Question 1

Phobia

Answer 1

An atypical fear response given the object or situation

Question 2

Symptoms of a phobia (3)

Answer 2

Heart pounding
Sweating
Nausea

Question 3

(AT core theory)
Behaviourist theory
(4)

Answer 3

Behaviours are learnt through classical conditioning
We learn to associate a particular response w/ a particular stimulus
Operant conditioning- learning by consequence
Stimulus generalisation

Question 4

Stimulus generalisation

Answer 4

Association of a conditioned response with a similar stimulus

Question 5

(AT) Behaviourist theory evaluation

Answer 5

• ignores the mind and thinking behind behaviours, 2 people can have the same experience but not form the same fear
• assumes that you need direct experience to have a phobia

Question 6

(AT alternative theory)
Evolutionary theory
(4)

Answer 6

It is natural for humans to want to live long enough to pass on genes and reproduce
Fear is instinctive bc it helps us survive
Certain objects are more threatening to our survival (eg the dark)
Born w a biological preparedness

Question 7

(AT core study)
Watson and Rayner (1920)
(4)

Answer 7

• phobias can be learnt through classical conditioning
• 9 month year old, all stimuli were neutral asides from a hammer hitting a steel bar
• conditioned to be afraid of white eat
• stimulus generalisation

Question 8

Watson and Rayner (1920) evaluation

Answer 8

• produced in artificial conditions so lacked ecological validity
• too small of a sample, may be easier to condition with different people
• unethical af, distressing and they didn’t try to counter- condition the phobia

Question 9

(AT AoR)

Fighting fears

Answer 9

• flooding: facing fear head on to form new associations, anxiety levels cannot be sustained
• systematic desensitisation: gradually forming new associations
• implosion therapy: like flooding, but imagining instead