behavioural approach to explaining phobias

Question 1

The two process model

Answer 1

phobias are learned by classical conditioning and then maintained by operant conditioning

Question 2

acquisition by classical conditioning

Answer 2

classical conditioning involves association:
1.Ucs triggers a fear response (fear is a ucr) eg,being bitten creates anxiety

2. Ns is associated with the ucs,e.g being bitten by a dog (the dog previously did not create anxiety)
3. Ns becomes a cs producing fear (which is now the cr)the dog becomes a cs causing a cr of anxiety

Question 3

Little albert conditioned fear

Answer 3

1. whenever albert played with a white rat , a loud noise was made close to his ear.The noise(ucs) caused a fear response(ucr)
2. rat(ns) did not create fear until the bang and the rat were paired together several times
3. Albert showed a fear response (cr)everytime he came into contact with the rat now a (cs)

Question 4

generalisation of fear to other stimuli

Answer 4

etc little albert showed a fear in response to other white furry objects including a fur coat and a santa claus mask

Question 5

maintenance by operant conditioning (negative reinforcement)

Answer 5

operant conditioning takes place when our behaviour is reinforced or punishment

negative reinforcement an individual produces behaviour that avoids something unpleasant

when a phobic avoids a phobic stimulus they escape the anxiety that would have been experienced

This reduction in fear negatively reinforces the avoidance behaviour and the phobia is maintained