Behavioural approach to explaining phobias

Question 1

What is Mowrers two-process model

Answer 1

The fact that we learn phobias through classical conditioning and maintain it through operant conditioning

Question 2

What is a case study of the two process model

Answer 2

Little Albert where loud bang (UCS) combined with white rat (NS) produced fear of white rats (CR) and was generalised to other stimuli

Question 3

How does operant conditioning maintain a phobia

Answer 3

Negative reinforcement where an individual produces behaviour that avoids something unpleasant

Question 4

Is the two process model a complete or incomplete explanation of phobias

Answer 4

an incomplete, as it doesn’t look at biological preparedness

Question 5

who found the term ‘biological preparedness’

Answer 5

Seligman 1971

Question 6

Do all bad experiences lead to phobias

Answer 6

Not all bad experiences lead to phobias, so conditioning alone cannot explain phobias as this may only occur if a vulnerability already exists

Question 7

what does the two process model not properly consider

Answer 7

doesn’t consider the cognitive aspects of phobias, eg irrational beliefs and selective attention