behavioural approach - explaining phobias

Question 1

what does the behaviour approach suggest?

Answer 1

that all behaviour is learned from our environment and experiences. We are born a blank slate

Question 2

classical conditioning?

Answer 2

learning through association

NS + UCS -> CR

Question 3

example of people being scared of dogs because they have been bitten?

Answer 3

• being bitten (UCS) creates fear (UCR)
• dog (NS) now associated with UCS
• dog is now CS and fear response CR

Question 4

how does operant conditioning maintain the phobia?

Answer 4

The conditioned stimulus evokes fear and the individual avoids it which reduces the fear and is rewarding. However, negative reinforcement strengthens avoidance behaviour and the phobia is maintained

Question 5

weakness : incomplete expansion

Answer 5

not everyone who has a bad experience will develop a phobia over it. It is argued we inherit a genetic vulnerability to developing phobias

Question 6

weakness : overlooks mental processes

Answer 6

doesn’t take into cognitive processes