behavioural approach to explaining phobias

Question 1

what is the two-process model and who was it proposed by?

Answer 1

Mowrer (1960) argued that phobias are learned by classical conditioning and maintained by operant conditioning

Question 2

watson and raynor: little albert

Answer 2

1. Whenever Albert played with a white rat, a loud noise was made. The noise (UCS) caused a fear response (UCR).
2. Rat (NS) did not create fear until the bang and the rat had been paired together several times.
3. Albert showed a fear response (CR) every time he came into contact with the rat (now a CS).

Question 3

generalisation occurs

Answer 3

• conditioning is then generalised to similar objects.
• Little Albert then showed fear in response to other white furry objects including a fur coat and a Santa Claus mask.

Question 4

negative reinforcement

Answer 4

an individual produces behaviour that avoids something unpleasant

Question 5

maintenance by operant conditioning

Answer 5

Avoidance of/escape from stimulus = rewarding because they escaped the fear ( negative reinforcement) = behaviour that is rewarded is repeated/learned

Question 6

example of maintenance of phobias

Answer 6

if someone had a fear of clowns, they would avoid circuses. The relief felt from avoiding clowns negatively reinforces the phobia and ensures it is maintained rather than confronted.