behavioural approach to explaining phobias

Question 1

two process model

Answer 1

classical conditioning: initiation -
phobia acquired through association between NS and UCS leads to CR and UCS becomes CS

operant conditioning: maintenance -
likelihood of behaviour being repeated is increased if outcome is rewarding - phobias - avoidance of phobic stimulus reduces fear so is reinforcing - negative reinforcement

Question 2

social learning

Answer 2

neo behaviourist explanation - phobias may be acquired through modelling behaviour of others

Question 3

evaluation - incomplete explanation

Answer 3

if NS becomes associated with fearful experience result should be phobia but this doesnt always happen

research found that for example not everyone that’s bitten by a dog develops a phobia - could be explained by diathesis stress model - proposes we inherit genetic vulnerability for developing mental disorders. however disorder will only manifest itself if triggered by a life event - phobia only triggered in people with genetic vulnerability

Question 4

evaluation - ignores cognitive factors

Answer 4

there are cognitive aspects to phobias that can’t be explained in traditionally behaviourist framework

cognitive approach - phobias may develop as consequence of irrational thinking - value of cognitive approach is that it leads to cognitive therapies that may be more successful than behaviourist treatments