Behavioural Explanation Of Phobias

Question 1

Who proposed the two-process model?

Answer 1

Mower (1947) proposed the two-process model to explain how phobias are learned.

Question 2

What is the two-process model?

Answer 2

1.) There is an association created between the stimulus and fear response - this creates the phobia.
2.) The phobia is then maintained through reinforcement.

Question 3

Watson and Rayer (1920) - Little Albert

Answer 3

Stage 1: Before conditioning
Loud noise (UCS) turns into a fear response (UCR)
Stage 2: During conditioning
Loud noise + White rat (UCS + NS) into fear response (UCR)
Stage 3: After conditioning
White rat (CS) into fear response (CR)

Question 4

Little Albert: Generalisation

Answer 4

Watson and Rayner found that Albert developed phobias of objects which shared characteristics with a rat such as some cotton wool.

Question 5

Little Albert: Extinction

Answer 5

Little Albert was observed 10 days after conditioning and it was found his fear was much less marked.

Question 6

How can operant conditioning explain phobias?

Answer 6

OC states that phobias are maintained through reinforcement.
Both behaviours of avoidance and panic are increased as a result of being reinforced.

Question 7

Negative reinforcement

Answer 7

Avoiding the feared stimulus removes the anxiety/fear.
The removal of the negative consequence increases the likelihood of the target behaviour of avoidance.

Question 8

Positive Reinforcement

Answer 8

Our feared response is likely to bring us positive consequences such as attention and care from others.
Thea adding of positive consequences increases the likelihood of the target behaviour of panic.

Question 9

Stages of conditioning in phobias

Answer 9

First stage:
The fear is initiated through classical conditioning
Association makes a neutral stimulus conditioned to fear response
This can be generalised to other similar stimuli

Second stage:
Maintained through operant conditioning
Avoidance reduces anxiety (negative reinforcement)
Panic brings attention (positive reinforcement)

Question 10

Limitations of two-process model including classical and operant conditioning

Answer 10

P - Does not account for the cognitive aspects of phobias.
E - Behavioural explanations such as the two-process model are geared towards explaining behaviour. Phobias have the key behaviour of avoidance of the phobic stimulus however phobias also have a significant cognitive component such as irrational beliefs.

Question 11

Strengths of the two-process model

Answer 11

P - Real world application in exposure therapies
E - The two-process model is the idea that phobias are maintained by avoidance of the phobic stimulus. This aids the use of exposure therapies as once the avoidance behaviour is prevented it ceases to be reinforced by the experience of anxiety and avoidance therefore declines.

Question 12

Counter-peel - Phobias and traumatic experiences

Answer 12

P - Evidence for a link between bad experiences and phobias.
E - Little Albert study illustrates how a frightening illustrates how a frightening experience involving a stimulus can lead to a phobia of that stimulus.
E - This confirms the association between stimulus and an unconditioned response does lead to the development of a phobia

HOWEVER

P - Not all phobias appear following a bad experience.
E - Some common phobias such as snake phobias occur in populations where very few people have any experience of snakes.
E - The association between phobias and frightening experiences is not as strong as we would expect if behavioural theories provided a complete explanation.