Behavioural Approach to Phobias

Question 1

What is the behavioural approach?

Answer 1

Emphasises the role of learning in the acquisition of behaviour. Focusing on behaviour we can see.

Question 2

What did Mowrer propose?

Answer 2

the two-process model to explain phobia. This argues that phobias are acquired by classical conditioning, and then maintained because of operant conditioning.

Question 3

How is a phobia acquired via classical conditioning?

Answer 3

A phobia is a conditioned response which is acquired via the association of a neutral stimulus with something that already triggers a fear response (unconditioned response)

Question 4

What is the conditioned response in classical conditioning?

Answer 4

The phobia

Question 5

What is the neutral stimulus in classical conditioning?

Answer 5

Something we initially have no fear of (the dark)

Question 6

What is the unconditioned stimulus in classical conditioning?

Answer 6

Something that already triggers a fear response (being mugged)

Question 7

What happens before conditioning in classical conditioning?

Answer 7

Before conditioning the neutral stimulus (the dark) produces no response. However, the unconditioned stimulus (being mugged) produces an unconditioned response of fear

Question 8

What happens during conditioning in classical conditioning?

Answer 8

After the association the neutral stimulus becomes the conditioned stimulus which causes a conditioned response (fear).

Question 9

What happens after conditioning in classical conditioning?

Answer 9

The neutral stimulus has become the conditioned stimulus (the dark now causes fear)

Question 10

What did Mowrer suggest about phobias through operant conditioning?

Answer 10

When we avoid a phobic stimulus, we successfully escape the fear and anxiety that we would have suffered if we remained there.

Question 11

In operant conditioning the reduction in fear reinforces what?

Answer 11

The avoidance behaviour by negative reinforcement (sleeping with the lights on) so the phobia is maintained as avoidance is likely to happen again.

Question 12

What was the aim of Watson and Rayner?

Answer 12

To provide empirical evidence that humans emotional responses could be learnt through classical conditioning

Question 13

What type of experiment did Watson and Rayner conduct?

Answer 13

Lab experiment

Question 14

Who was Watson’s and Rayner’s experiment on?

Answer 14

An 11-month old boy Albert.

Question 15

What was the procedure for Watson’s and Rayner’s experiment?

Answer 15

He played with the rat and when he touched it the hammer was strucken to scare him.
Repeated three times

Question 16

What was the stimuli in Watson and Rayners experiment?

Answer 16

White rat and cotton wool

Question 17

How was a fear reaction induced in on Albert?

Answer 17

Striking a steel bar and hammer together behind Albert’s head. Causing him to cry

Question 18

What were the results of Watson and Rayner experiment?

Answer 18

When shown the rat he would cry, roll over and crawl away. He developed a fear towards it and displayed less intensity to other white furry objects. (Generalisation)

Question 19

What was the conclusion of Watson and Rayner experiment?

Answer 19

Conditioned emotional response, including love and fear. phobias are acquired as a result of environmental experiences which transfer and persist. Unless removed from counter-conditioning

Question 20

There is research evidence to support that some phobias develop and are maintained by classical and operant conditioning. Why is this is a strength? (Evidence)

Answer 20

The study of Little Albert found that classical conditioning was able to create a fear of white rats
by playing a loud noise when he reached down to the rat making him cry.

Question 21

There is research evidence to support that some phobias develop and are maintained by classical and operant conditioning. Why is this is a strength? (Explain)

Answer 21

Provides evidence that they theory is valid as it shows a phobia is learnt though classical conditioning.

Question 22

There is research evidence to support that some phobias develop and are maintained by classical and operant conditioning. Why is this is a strength? (counterargument)

Answer 22

It relies on a case study and Albert may have other reasons for developing a phobia (biological predisposition) and if it was repeated the same results may not be found. We should be careful when making generalisations of phobias.

Question 23

Sometimes people develop a phobia and are not aware of having previously a related bad experience. Why is this a problem? (Evidence)

Answer 23

Sue et al found that agoraphobics were most likely to explain their disorder in terms of a specific incident, whereas arachnophobics were most likely to cite modelling as a casue.

Question 24

Sometimes people develop a phobia and are not aware of having previously a related bad experience. Why is this a problem? (Explain)

Answer 24

The two-process model may not be entirely valid as it may not explain all phobias. However, it is possible that such traumatic incidents did happen, but have since been forgotten.

Question 25

Behavioural explanations are geared towards explaining behaviour rather than conditions. This is why the two-process model explains maintenance of phobias in terms of avoidance. Why is this a problem? (Evidence)

Answer 25

Suggests that phobias may be a result of irrational thinking. A person in a lift may think that they will suffocate and die which creates extreme anxiety and trigger a phobia.

Question 26

Behavioural explanations are geared towards explaining behaviour rather than conditions. This is why the two-process model explains maintenance of phobias in terms of avoidance. Why is this a problem? (Explain)

Answer 26

Suggests that the behavioural approach alone may be limited in explaining phobias and may be better explained by the cognitive approach. It may be environmentally reductionist

Question 27

Evolutionary factors probably have an important role to play in phobias, but the two-process model does not maintain this. Why is this a problem? (Evidence)

Answer 27

We easily acquire phobias pf stimuli that would have been a source of a danger in our evolutionary past, such as spiders, snakes and the dark. Biological preparedness to acquire these fears. Explaining why it is rare to develop fear of cars and guns.

Question 28

Evolutionary factors probably have an important role to play in phobias, but the two-process model does not maintain this. Why is this a problem? (Explain)

Answer 28

Suggests the two-process model in explaining phobias is not entirely valid as it is ignoring evolutionary factors. Has implications for treatments as it may not always be learnt via association.