Behavioural Approach to explaining and treating phobias

Question 1

who came up with the behav explanation to phobias

Answer 1

Mowrer

Question 2

what process did Mowrer come up with

Answer 2

stage 1 - initiation of phobias
stage 2 - maintenance of phobias

Question 3

what process is stage 1 - initiation of phobias based on

Answer 3

classical conditioning

Question 4

what process is stage 2 - maintenance of phobias based on

Answer 4

operant conditioning

Question 5

explain the intiation of phobias

Answer 5

phobia acquired through association between NS and UCS

Question 6

which case study provides an example of the initiation of phobias

Answer 6

little Albert

Question 7

explain maintenance generally

Answer 7

the likelihood of a behaviour being repeated is increased if the outcome is rewarding

Question 8

explain maintenance as the behav explanation to phobias

Answer 8

avoidance of the stimulus reduces fear+anxiety and therefore is negatively reinforcing

Question 9

what was the neutral stimulus in little alberts case study

Answer 9

the white rat

Question 10

what response did little albert initially have to the white rat

Answer 10

no response - unbothered

Question 11

what was the unconditioned stimulus in little alberts case study

Answer 11

a loud noise

Question 12

what was the unconditioned response in little alberts case study

Answer 12

fear in response to the loud noise

Question 13

what was the conditioned stimulus in little alberts case study

Answer 13

white rat

Question 14

what was the conditioned response in little alberts case study

Answer 14

fear response to the white rat

Question 15

who was little albert

Answer 15

an 11 month old baby who was classically conditioned

Question 16

explain little alberts case study

Answer 16

albert associated the fear he felt from the loud noise to the rat, developing a phobia towards white furry objects

Question 17

what did little albert develop a phobia to

Answer 17

furry white objects

Question 18

what is counterconditioning in phobias

Answer 18

where a fear response to an object is replaced with a relaxation response

Question 19

what is the treatment for phobias said to be complete

Answer 19

when a patient can relax in the presence of their most feared stimulus

Question 20

what are the two types of behavioural therapies

Answer 20

• systematic desensitisation
• flooding

Question 21

what is systematic desensitisation based on

Answer 21

belief that the reason phobias persist is that the feared stimulus is avoided

Question 22

what does avoiding the feared stimulus do to the phobias

Answer 22

there is no opportunity to learn that the stimulus is infact not fearful

Question 23

does systematic desensitisation work quickly or slowly

Answer 23

slowly - introduces the feared stimulus gradually

Question 24

what are the three steps involved in systematic desensitisation

Answer 24

1 - counterconditioning
2 - relaxation
3 - desensitisation hierarchy

Question 25

what happens during counterconditioning for phobias

Answer 25

the patient is taught a new association that runs counter to the original one

Question 26

how does counter conditioning involve classical conditioning

Answer 26

patient is taught to associate the phobic stimulus with a new response (relaxation not fear)

Question 27

who came up with systematic desensitisation

Answer 27

Wolpe

Question 28

what did Wolpe name the process of the relaxation response inhibiting the anxiety response

Answer 28

reciprocal inhibition

Question 29

what happens during the relaxation process of systematic desensitisation

Answer 29

the therapist teaches the patient different relaxation techniques

Question 30

give some examples of relaxation techniques

Answer 30

- focus on their breathing - progressive muscle relaxation - focus on the here and now

Question 31

what happens during the desensitisation hierarchy process of systematic desensitisation

Answer 31

a list of the least to most feared types of contact with the phobic stimulus is worked through using the relaxation techniques

Question 32

when is the list for desensitisation hierarchy made

Answer 32

before the patient comes in for treatment

Question 33

what are the different types of feared contact with the phobic stimulus

Answer 33

in vitro = imagined in vivo = real life contact

Question 34

what is flooding

Answer 34

one long session where the patient faces the most feared level of contact to start

Question 35

is flooding quick or slow

Answer 35

quick - all happens in one session starting with the worst one

Question 36

how long does the session of flooding normally last

Answer 36

2-3 hours

Question 37

what is the first step in flooding

Answer 37

learn relaxation techniques

Question 38

why is flooding believed to have a time limit

Answer 38

adrenaline naturally decreases and a new stimulus response link can be learned

Question 39

what is the new stimulus response link created by flooding

Answer 39

feared stimulus and relaxation