Behavioural Approach To Explaining Phobias Flashcards
Whats meant by the behavioural approach
-way to explain behaviour in terms of what’s observable
-emphasises role of learning in acquisition of behaviour
What is the two process model and how does it explain behaviours
-explains onset + persistence of phobias
-Mowrer 1960
-proposed this model based on behavioural approach
States:
-phobias acquired due to classical conditioning
-continued due to operant conditioning
What is the process of acquisition by classical conditioning for the two process model
-learn to associate something we initially have X fear of - neutral stimulus w/ something that triggers a fear response - unconditioned stimulus
-Watson + Rayner
-made phobia in 9 month baby - ‘Little Albert’
-no anxiety at start. Shown white rat, tried to play
-whenever rat presented, researcher added loud scary noise w/ iron bar by baby ear
-noise=UCS , creating UCR of fear
-rat (NS) encountered w/ UCS, NS associated 2gether , both producing fear
-rat now = CS producing CR
-conditioning then generalised to similar objects - fluffy objects (Watson wore Santa beard)
-Albert = distressed
What is the process of maintenance by operant conditioning in the two process model
-responses acquired by OC can decline over time
-phobias are often long-lasting tho
-Mowrer explained is as a result of OC , which takes place when behaviour reinforced / punished
-reinforcement -> incr freq of behaviour - true of +ve and -ve reinforcement
-ve -> avoids unpleasant situation -> desirable outcome, behaviour repeated
-Mowrer suggested when we avoid stimulus , we escape fear/anxiety that we would of got if stayed
-reduction in fear reinforces avoidance behaviour so phobia maintained
What is a strength of the two process model
Real world application
Exposure therapies - systematic desensitisation
Main element of model is phobia maintained by avoidance
Important in explaining why those w/ phobias benefit from exposure
Preventing avoidance ,ceases to be reinforced by experience of anxiety reduction + avoidance
Phobia cured when avoidance prevented
Increases value of model as identifies a means of treatment
Whats a limitation of the two process model
Doesn’t account for Cognitive aspects of phobias
Model geared towards explaining behaviour
Key behaviour is avoidance of phobia
We know phobias = X simply avoiding
-there’s significant cognitive component too
Eg pp hold irrational beliefs about phobic stimulus
Model explains avoidance behaviour , but not sufficient explanation for phobic cognitions
Doesn’t fully explain symptoms of phobias
Caution must be taken
Whats a further strength of the two process model
Link between Phobias + traumatic experiences
Evidence from little Albert study - link highlighted between bad experiences and phobias
Systematic evidence from Ad de Jongh
-found 73% ppl w/ fear of dental treatment had traumatic experience ,likely involving dentistry
-compared to control of ppl w low dental anxiety - 21% traumatic event
Confirms association between stimulus (dentistry) + UCR (pain) leads to developing phobia
Whats the counterpoint to the strength of two process model of link between phobias and traumatic events
Not all phobias appear following bad experience
Common phobias like snakes occur in popns where few ppl have experience of snake , let alone bad ones
Not all bad experiences lead to phobias
Means association between phobias + bad exp X as strong as we’d expect if behavioural theories gave full explanation
