Behaviourist approach to explaining phobias Flashcards

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1
Q

What do behaviourist psychologists assume

A

People are born as blank slates
At birth, its just the capacity to learn
Behaviour is learnt from the environment
Humans learn through stimulus response association

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2
Q

How are phobias formed

A

Classical conditioning

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3
Q

Outline the study related to classical conditioning as a way of forming phobias

A

Little Albert study by Watson and Rayner
Association between a loud noise (US) and a white rat(NS)
Loud noise + rat done 3 times
Fear of rat is created(CR)
Therefore phobia of white rat is created

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4
Q

How are phobias maintained

A

Operant conditioning (Negative reinforcement)

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5
Q

Describe how negative reinforcement maintains phobias

A

Phobia causes anxiety
Person avoids what causes anxiety
Lack of anxiety is desirable/Negative feeling is removed
Behaviour that reduces anxiety is reinforced
Phobic behaviour is maintained

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6
Q

Evaluate the behaviourist explanation of phobias

A

Real world application - Therapy e.g. systematic desensitisation/flooding

Phobias can be developed without encountering stimulus (SLT)

Phobias can be gained biologically (evolution)

Reductionism vs holism

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