behavioural approach to explaining phobias

Question 1

Who suggested that phobias are acquired through classical conditioning

Answer 1

Mowrer
also suggested that phobias are maintained through operant conditioning.

Question 2

the unconditioned stimulus (UCS) in Little Albert’s experiment

Answer 2

Loud bang
produced an unconditioned response (UCR) of fear

Question 3

conditioned stimulus (CS) in Little Albert’s experiment

Answer 3

The white rat
it became associated with fear after pairing with the loud bang

Question 4

operant conditioning

Answer 4

A process where behavior is rewarded or punished
- In the context of phobias, avoidance behaviors are reinforced.

Question 5

In the context of phobias, avoidance behaviors are reinforced.

Answer 5

Through avoidance behaviors
- Avoidance prevents exposure to the phobic stimulus, thus reinforcing the phobia

Question 6

strengths

Answer 6

✅ Empirical support
→ Example: Watson & Rayner (1920) — Little Albert developed a phobia of rats through classical conditioning.

✅ Application in effective therapies
→ Example: Systematic desensitisation is based on classical conditioning principles and has high success rates

Question 7

limitations

Answer 7

❌ Incomplete explanation
→ Example: Many people develop phobias without a traumatic event.

❌ Reductionist
→ Example: Ignores biological factors such as genetic predisposition or evolutionary preparedness (e.g. fear of snakes)