Behavioural explanation of phobias PPO

Question 1

behaviourist approach

Answer 1

a way of explaining behaviour in terms of what was observable and in terms of learning

Question 2

two process model

Answer 2

an explanation for the onset and persistence of disorders that create anxiety, such as phobias

Mowrer proposed the model which states that phobias are acquired by classical conditioning and then continue by operant conditioning.

Question 3

classical conditioning

Answer 3

learning by association

Question 4

operant conditioning

Answer 4

a form of learning in which behaviour is shaped and maintained by its consequences

Question 5

Acquisition by classical conditioning

Answer 5

Involves associating something that we have no fear of (neutral stimulus) with someone thing we already fear ( unconditioned stimulus)

Question 6

Watson and Rayner created a phobia in a 9 month old baby(‘Little Albert’):

Acquisition by classical conditioning

Answer 6

• No unusual anxiety at the start
• When rat was presented there was also a very loud noise (iron bar)
• Unconditioned response of fear
• Both now produce fear response
• Rat is now conditioned stimulus that produces conditioned response
• Generalised to similar objects
• White rabbit, fur coat, santa beard
• All displayed distress

Question 7

Maintenance by operant conditioning

Answer 7

• Takes place when behaviour is reinforced or punished
• Reinforcement increases frequency of behaviour (positive or negative)

**Mowrer **says that whenever we avoid a phobic stimulus we escape the fear and anxiety that we could have experienced. The reduction in fear reinforces the avoidance of the behaviour ao the phobia is maintained.

Question 8

RW application

strength

Answer 8

Application in exposure therapies
* Phobias are maintained by avoidance of the phobic stimulus is important in explaining why people with phobias benefit from being exposed to the phobic stimulus
* Avoidance behaviour is prevented so avoidance declines
This shows the value of the two-process approach because it identifies a means of treating phobias

Question 9

cognitive aspects of phobias

limitation

Answer 9

Does not account for them
* Geared towards explaining behaviour
* But phobias also have significant cognitive component
* People hold irrational beliefs about phobia stimulus
* Does not offer adequate explanation for phobic cognitions
Does not completely explain the symptoms of phobias.

Question 10

phobias and traumatic experiences and counterpoint

strength and limitation

Answer 10

Evidence for a link between bad experiences and phobias
Little albert study
* Frightening experience can lead to phobia
* Systematic evidence comes from** Ad De Jongh et al **(73% of people with fear of dental treatment had a traumatic dentist experience)
* Control group was only 21%
The association between stimulus and unconditioned response does lead to the development of a phobia

BUT
Not all phobias appear following a bad experience
* Common phobias eg snakes occur in places that don’t have snakes
Association between phobias and frightening experiences is not as strong as we would expect if behavioural theories provided a complete explanation