Behavioural approach to explaining phobias

Question 1

Behavioural approach to explaining phobias

Answer 1

Two process model
└ Acquisition- classical conditioning
└ Maintenance- operant conditioning

Question 2

Two process model

person

Answer 2

Hobart Mowrer (1960)

Question 3

Acquisition- classical conditioning

Answer 3

└associating something we don’t fear (neutral stimulus) paired with something that already triggers fear (unconditioned response)

Question 4

Acquisition- classical conditioning

Example

Answer 4

└e.g. Little albert
└white rat(NS) + noise (UCS) → fear (CR)
└generalised to similar objects

Question 5

Maintenance- operant conditioning

Answer 5

└rewarded/punished
└positive/negative reinforcement
└avoid phobic situation= less fear
└keep avoiding

Question 6

Behavioural approach to explaining phobias

Strengths

Answer 6

Application
└therapy
└explains why patient must be exposed
└reduces avoidance behaviour

Question 7

Behavioural approach to explaining phobias

Limitations (2)

Answer 7

Incomplete explanation of phobias
└Bounton (2007)
  └evolutionary factors also important 
  └adaptive to acquire fears 
└Seligman (1971)
  └biological preparedness
    └innate preposition to acquire certain fears 

Doesn’t explain phobias that don’t follow trauma
└not aware of bad experience with phobic stimulus