Behavioural Approach (expl. & treat)

Question 1

Two Process Model

Answer 1

Initiation

• operant (originally initiated when receiving a punishment from stimulus)
• classical (neutral & unconditioned stimulus process into conditioned response)

Maintenance
- operant conditioning explains phobia is maintained because of avoidance of the phobic stimulus as it reduces fear and negatively reinforced phobic behaviour

Question 2

Classic evidence for behavioural approach

Answer 2

Watson & Rayner

Little Albert
-9 month old baby

Question 3

Evaluation of behavioural approach to explaining phobias

Answer 3

+ supported by scientific evidence

• nature v NURTURE
• oversimplifistic

Question 4

Treating phobias

Systematic desensitisation

Answer 4

Behavioural therapy / gradually reduce / counterconditioning / new relaxation techniques / reciprocal inhibition (relax and afraid)

Relaxation
- teaches new techniques
Anxiety Hierarchy 
- least to most fearful situation 
Exposure 
- several sessions, start at bottom hierarchy, relaxed at each exposure till most feared

Question 5

Evaluation of systematic desensitisation

Answer 5

+ less effort
+ no side effects
- only works with some phobias
- not effective for everyone

Question 6

Flooding

Answer 6

No graduation / highest fear confronted immediately / 3 hours long / only one session needed / adrenaline naturally calms

Question 7

Evaluation of flooding

Answer 7

+ cost effective

• not suitable for all phobias
• traumatise (ethical)