Behavioural approach to explaining phobias

Question 1

behavioural approach

Answer 1

a way of explaining behaviour in terms of what is observable and in terms of learning

Question 2

two-process model

Answer 2

an explanation for the onset and persistence of disorders that creates anxiety such as phobias

Question 3

classical conditioning

Answer 3

• learning by association
• occurs when two stimuli are repeatedly paired together - an unconditioned stimulus and a new neutral stimulus
• neutral stimulus eventually produces the same response that was first produced by the unconditioned stimulus alone

Question 4

operant conditioning

Answer 4

a form of learning in which behaviour is shaped and maintained by its consequences

Question 5

Two-process model

Answer 5

Orval Hobart Mowrer (1960) proposed the two -model based on the behavioural approach on phobias
- acquired by classical conditioning and then continue because of operant conditioning

Question 6

Acquisition by classical conditioning - Little Albert

Answer 6

• learning to associate something we have no fear with something that already triggers a fear
• Watson and Rayner - little albert
• Noise (UCS) = Fear (UCR)
• Rat (NS) = NR
• Rat and noise NS + UCS = UCR
• Rat is CS = CR is fear
  conditioning generalises to similar objects

Question 7

Maintenance by operant conditioning

Answer 7

when behaviour is reinforced negative reinforcement and individual avoid a situation that is unpleasant - results in a desirable consequence which means the behaviour will be repeated

• MOWRER suggested that whenever we avoid a phobic stimulus we successfully escaped the fear and anxiety that we would’ve suffered if we had with me and then the production in theory in forces the avoidance behaviour and so phobia is maintained

Question 8

Strength of behavioural approach to explaining phobias - real world application

Answer 8

Strength: exposure therapies

• distinctive element of two-process model is the idea that phobias are maintained by avoidance of the phobic stimulus
• ceases to be reinforced by the experience of anxiety reduction + avoidance therefore declines - identifies a means of treating phobias

Question 9

Limitation of behavioural approach to explaining phobias - cognitive aspects

Answer 9

• phobias the key behaviour is avoidance of the phobias stimulus
• two-process model explains avoidance behaviour but does not offer and adequate explanation for phobic cognitions - does not completely explain symptoms of phobias

Question 10

Strength of behavioural approach to explaining phobias - phobias and traumatic experiences

Answer 10

Strength: evidence for a link between bad experiences and phobias

• Systematic evidence comes from a study by Ad De Jongh (2006) who found out that 73% with a fear of dental treatment had experienced traumatic experience
• control group 21% with a low fear of dental treatment had experienced traumatic experience

COUNTERPOINT - Not all phobias lead to a bad experience e.g. snake phobia occur in population where few people experience traumatic experiences - not as strong as behavioural theories