Behavioural Approach To Explaining Phobias

Question 1

Weakness: environmental reductionism

Answer 1

Crit for environmental reductionism, reduces complex human behaviour of phobias down to simple basic units, neglects holistic approach, how a persons culture and social context would influence phobias, extreme fear of displeasing others relative to Japanese cultures but less likely in western cultures, limited as no understanding of behaviour in context

Question 2

Strength: practical applications

Answer 2

Has practical applications, suggests learnt through classical conditioning, unlearnt in same way, used to create systematic desensitisation, teaching a patient relaxation techniques and gradual exposure, associate phobic stimulus w relaxation rather than fear, helps to treat people in real world so important part of applied psych

Question 3

Strength: research to support

Answer 3

Ad De Jongh et al, 73% of ppl with fear of dental treatment had experienced traumatic event involving dentistry, compared to control group of low dental anxiety where 21% experienced traumatic event, confirms association between stimulus and unconditioned response leading to development of phobia, supports explanation

Question 4

Weakness: rts counter argument

Answer 4

Not all bad experiences lead to phobias, 21% experienced traumatic event but did not develop a phobia, some people have phobias of stimuli they haven’t had a negative encounter with, other explanations should also be considered