behaviourist approach psychopathology Flashcards
define classical conditioning as an explanation of phobias.
association with a place, object etc that results in a conditioned response
define operand conditioning as an explanation of phobias
maintenance of conditioned response through negative reinforcement
what is the difference between negative and positive reinforcement
negative reinforcement removes undesirable by avoidance
positive reinforcement gives desirable
what is Mower’s two step process model
classical and operant conditioning as an explanation of phobias
what happens when behaviour is reinforced
it is either more or less likely to be repeated
define stimulus generalisation
things similar to the conditioned stimuli trigger a conditioned response
define higher order conditioning
where a person avoids any situation where a conditioned response may happen
2 strengths of Mower’s two step model
+research support– Watson and Raynor on little albert and white rat
+practical applications– systematic desensitisation
3 weaknesses of the mower’s two step model
- not all phobias are incidents of trauma– Munkjack 50% had a fear but no trauma experience
50% had a trauma experience but no fear - environmentally reductionist as it seems to simple
- biological preparedness
what is systematic desensitisation
a treatment for phobias using the principals of association to replace anxiety with relaxation
what are the four steps of systematic desensitisation
1) fear hierarchy- construct order of activities
2) relaxation training e.g breathing techniques
3) graduated exposure to phobia through activities
in vito= actually exposed
in virto= imagines exposure
4)RECIPROCAL INHIBITION cannot experience fear and relaxation at the same time but one at a time
2 strengths of systematic desensitisation
+39 cases by WOLPE were determined particularly successful as 68 phobias were treated with a 91% success rate
+good ethics as no psychological harm due to gradual of exposure as patient has control so trust can be formed
2 weaknesses of systematic desensitisation
- doesn’t deal with the root as supresses symptoms which could cause other symptoms to occur can lead to further phobic response to new things
- not the same effect with all phobias such as agoraphobia e.g Quashe and Barlow 60%-80% showed improvement but would relapse after 6 months
what is flooding
similar to systematic desensitisation but exposure happens all at once
what are the features of flooding
1) immediate exposure of person to phobia until no response
2) unlearn connection with conditioned stimulus and response
3) prevent participant from negative reinforcement of avoidance (being able to run away)
