Behavioural approach to phobias

Question 1

What is the two-process model ?

Answer 1

Suggests that phobias are acquired through classical conditioning and are maintained through operant conditioning

Question 2

What is maintenence by operant conditioning ?

Answer 2

• when the behaviour is reinforced or punished
• reinforcement increases the frequency of the behaviour
• With negative reinforcement, the individual avoids the situation
• When we avoid our phobias we escape the feeling of fear and anxiety

Question 3

What are the strength’s of the two-process model ?

Answer 3

Real life application: exposure therapies
Once the behaviour is being exposed it can’t be avoided which stop’s the reinforcement of the behaviour. This supports as it shows that it can be treated clinically.
Link to bad experiences: De Jongh found 73% of people with a fear of the dentist had a traumatic experience. In comparison to the control group where 21% with low anxiety had trauma

Question 4

What are the limitation’s of the two-process model ?

Answer 4

Alternative explanations = some phobias may be due to evolution, phobia of spiders and snakes. We have adapted to phobias of them to protect ourselves