behavioural approach- psychopathology Flashcards
what is two process model
roel of learning in acquisition of behaviour
focuses on behaviour
geared towards explaining behavioural characteristics rather than cognitive and emtoioanl aspects fo phobias
mowrer- two process model based on behavioural approach, phobias acquired by classical conditioning and continue due to operant conditioning
what is acquisition by classical conditioning
classical conditioning incolves learning to associate something we have no fear of with somethign that triggers fear respnse
watson and rayner- phobia in 9month old baby little albert, showed no unusual anxiety at start of study, when shown white rat he tried to play with it, whenever presented with rat researchers made loud frightening noise by banging iron bar close to alberts ear, noise is unconditioned stimulus which creates unconditioned response rat is neutral stimulus and ucs are encountered close together, ns becomes associated with ucs and both produce fear response, displayed fear when saw rat now learned or conditioned stimulsu produces conditioned response
generalised to simialr onjects, tested albert showing other furry objects such as non white rabbit fur coat and watson wearing santa claus beard , isplayed distress at sight of all these
what is maintenance by operant conditioning
operant conditioning takes place when behaviour reinforced or punished
reinforcement increase frequency of behaviour for both negative and positive
negative reinforcement avoids situation unpleasant- results in desirable consequence which means behaviour will be repeated
mowrer- whenever avoid phobic stimulus successfully escape fear and axniety we would have experienced if we had remained there, reduction inf ear reinforces avoidance behaviour and phobia maintained
what is real world application of two process model
exposure therapies real world application
idea phobias maintained by avoidance important in explaining why poeple benefit from ebign exposed to phobic stimulus
once avoidance behaviour prevented ceases to be reinforced by experience of anxiety reduction and avoidance declines
phobia is avoidance behaviour so whne this avoidance is prevented phobia is cured
value of two process model identifies a means of treating phobias
what are cognitive aspects of phobias two process model
does not account for cognitive aspects of phobias
phobias are not simply avoidance responses
people hold irrational beliefs about phobic stimulus
two process model explains avoidance behaviour but does not offer adequate explanation for phobic cognitions
doesnt explain the symtoms of phobias
what is phobias and traumatic experiences two process model
evidence for link betwee bad experiences and phobias
little albert- frightening experience involving stimuls can lead to phobia of that stimulus
jongh- 73% people with fear of dental treatment experienced traumatic experience
compared to control group people with low dental anxiety where 21% experienced traumatic experience
confirms association between stimulus and unconditioned response does lead to development of phobia
not all phobias appear following bad experience
snake phobias occur in pop. where few people exerience of snakes let alone traumatic experience
not all frightening experience leads to phobias
association not as strong as we would expect if behavioural theories provided complete explanation
what is systematic desensitisation
behavioural therapy
gradually reduce phibc anxiety throguh principle of classical conditioning
learning od a different response- counterconditioning
anxiety hierarchy-put together by client and therpist, list of situations provke anxiety arranged in order from elast to most frightening
relaxation- therapist teaches client to relax deeply as possible, impossible to be relaxed and afraid at same time - reciprocal inhibition, might involved deep breathing exercises or mental imagery techniques or meditation or drugs
exposure- client exposed to phibic stimulus while in relaxed state, takes place across several sessions starting at bottom of hierarchy, when clinet can stay relaxed in presence of lower levels of phobic stimulus they move up hierarchy, treatment successful when client can stay relaxed in situations high on anxiety hierarchy
what is flooding
exposing people but without gradual build up
typically longer than sd sessions often lasting two hours
without option of avoidance behaviour client learns phobia harmless- extinction
learned response is extinguished when conditioned stimulus encountered without the unconditioned stimulus, result is conditioned stimulus no longer produces the conditioned response
unpleasant experience important client gives fully informed consent
fully prepared before session
cleint would be given choice of sd and flooding
what is strength of sd
evidence base for effectiveness
gilroy followed up 42 people who had sd for spider phobia in three 45 min sessions, both three and 33 months sd group less fearful than control group
wechsler concluded sd effective for specific phobia social phobia and agoraphobia
sd likley to be helpful for people with phobias
can be used to help people with learning disabilities
main alterntaives to sd not suitable
often struggle with cognitive therapies requre complex rational thought
feel confused and sitressed by traumatic experience of flooding
sd most appropriate treatment for people with learning disabilities
what is strength of flooding
highly cost effective
clinical effectiveness
therapy cost effective if clincally effective and not expensive
flooding can work in as little as one session compared to ten for sd
allowing for longer session makes flooding more cost effective
more people treated at same cost with flooding than with sd or others
what are weaknesses of flooding
highly unpleasant experience
confrtoning phobia extreme form provokes anxiety
schumacher found pps and therapists rated flooding as more stressful than sd
raises ethical issues for psychologists knowingly causing stress ot lcients- not serious if informed consent given
attrition rates higher than for sd
therapists may avoid using treatment
