behavioural approach explaining phobias

Question 1

what is the two-process model

Answer 1

• states phobias are acquired through classical conditioning
• maintained through operant conditioning
• proposed by Mowrer

Question 2

give an in depth explanation of how the two-process model works

Answer 2

• acquisition by classical conditioning = learning to associate something that doesn’t evoke fear (neutral stimulus) with something that triggers fear (unconditioned stimulus)
• watson and little albert = conditioned to have a phobia of white fluffy things through pairing a white rat with a loud noise
• maintenance by operant conditioning = negative reinforcement by avoiding the fear evoking stimulus - taking away something unpleasant to feel better meaning behaviour will be repeated

Question 3

evaluate the behavioural approach to explaining phobias

Answer 3

• deterministic = some people may have a phobia for no apparent reason e.g. fear of flying despite having no bad experiences, also some people may still have a phobia despite not avoiding it e.g. fear of flying but don’t avoid it
• alternative explanation = may have phobias due to natural instincts for survival (evolutionary) e.g. fire
• good explanatory power = explains the mechanism behind acquisition and maintenance -> good practical benefits e.g. treating phobias