behavioural approach to explaining phobias

Question 1

explain the two process model

Answer 1

-state phobias are acquired by classical conditioning and maintained by operant conditioning

Question 2

explain acquisition by classical conditioning?

Answer 2

-learning to associate something we have no fear with something that triggers a fear response

Question 3

what study was used to explain acquisition by classical conditioning?

Answer 3

• little Albert by creating a phobia in a 9month year old baby
• when showed a white rat he played with it
• however a when rat they presented a loud bang made with an iron bar near ear
• noise = unconditioned, creating unconditioned response of fear
• 7 pairings=Albert then was scared when he saw the rat even at white rabbits

Question 4

explain maintenance by operant conditioning?

Answer 4

-responses acquired by classical conditioning decline over time
-however phobias are long lasting
-behaviour is reinforced through (oc)
-reinforcement increases frequency of behaviour
-negative reinforcement means they will avoid situation =desirable consequence
and will be repeated

Question 5

what are the 3 evaluation points for the behavioural approach to explaining phobias?

Answer 5

• good explanatory power
• BIOLOGICAL PREPAREDNESS
• BOUNTONS

Question 6

evaluate ‘good explanatory power’ as an evaluation point for the two-process model

Answer 6

STRENGTH

• step forward as it went beyond other research
• explained how phobias can b maintained
• good implications on therapies explaining why patient feared stimulus
• therapy strength in two process model as phobia can be eradicated

Question 7

evaluate the two process model being described as an ‘incomplete explanation of phobias’

Answer 7

WEAKNESS
Bounton’s
-some aspects of phobic behaviour that need expanding
-evolutionary factors have an important role
-we easily acquire phobias that have been a source of danger in the past eg. fear of spiders and the dark may have posed threat in past
-this shows there is more to phobias than simple conditioning

Question 8

explain Seligman’s biological preparedness theory and how it is a weakness of the 2-process model

Answer 8

WEAKNESS

• this is a slight different version of the evolution theory
• innate predisposition to aquire fears
• more people have fear of snakes than cars/guns
• because they exist recently and we aren’t biologically prepared to fear BIOLOGICAL PREPAREDNESS