Behavioural approach to explaining phobias

Question 1

What is the two-process model?

Answer 1

The model suggesting phobias are acquired through CC & maintained through OC

Question 2

How do we acquire phobias through CC?

Answer 2

Neutral stimulus associated with unconditioned stimulus - until both the NS & UCS cause the unconditioned response - the NS becomes a conditioned stimulus which produces a conditioned response - this can then be generalised.

Question 3

What was the case study for CC?

Answer 3

Little Albert - White rabbit - Loud noise

Question 4

How do we maintain phobias through OC?

Answer 4

Operant conditioning works by positively reinforcing avoidance of phobias - feeling of safety & negatively reinforcing endurance or experiencing the phobia as we feel fear/discomfort

Question 5

What are the evaluation points for the explanation of phobias?

Answer 5

+ Good explanatory power - beyond CC & OC previously proposed

• Alternative explanation - not all phobias are negatively reinforced through anxiety reduction (agoraphobia feeling of safety)
• incomplete explanation , doesn’t reference evolutionary factors etc.