Behavioural Approach To Explain Phobias

Question 1

Behavioural approach suggests that phobias are….
AO1

Answer 1

Learned behaviour

Question 2

Phobias are learnt thought?
AO1

Answer 2

Classical conditioning then maintained trough operant conditioning
(Two process model)

Question 3

Classical conditioning (how someone gets a phobia)?
AO1

Answer 3

-Involves learning to associate something of which we initially have no fear of ( a natural stimulus)
-with something that already triggers a fear response (unconditioned stimulus)
-this fear response is triggered every time they see or think about the feared object

Question 4

WATSON ND RAYNOR research to support conditioned 9 month little Albert to have fear of rats
Classical conditioning

Answer 4

-not afraid of rats
-rats=loud Noise banging iron bar
-noise= unconditioned stimulus causes unconditioned response of fear
-rat= neutral stimulus presented with loud noise Albert associated them together
-rat=conditioned stimulus=conditioned response of fear in little Albert
-fear generalised to similar objects e.g fur coat

Question 5

Operant conditioning ( how someone keeps the phobia)
AO1

Answer 5

-mowrer emphasised that phobias are maintained trough operant conditioning
-continuing to avoid feared stimuli they are being negatively reinforced
-by reducing anxiety they feel
-Explains why by phobias are long lasting trough avoidance

Question 6

AO3 behavioural approach to explain phobia
Weakness

Answer 6

P-environmental reductionism
E-reduces complex h b of phobias down to simple basic units of learning phobias through association between a NS an UCS and UCR nd maintaining phobia trough reinforcement
E-neglects holistic approach which would take in to account how person culture and social context would influence phobias.
E.g phobia Taijin extreme fear of displeasing others =relative culture of Japan= collectivist culture a p that is less likely to accur in individualistic c
L-behavioural explanation of p is limited does not allow to understand b in context

Question 7

AO3 behavioural approach to explain phobias
Strength

Answer 7

P-practical application
E-phobia learnt classical conditioning nd can be unlearnt using classical conditioning
E-theory been used= treatment systematic desensitisation, works teaching patient relaxation tech nd gradually exposing to phobic stimulus= learnt to associate to relaxation rather than fear
L-helps treat ppl in real world behavioural approach is impo in applied psych