behaviourist approach to phobias

Question 1

What are the 2 parts of the two process model

Answer 1

1. Acquisition
2. maintenance

Question 2

what is the assumption to the behaviourist approach

Answer 2

We are all born neutral and all behaviours are learnt

Question 3

what is the study for acquisition and what does the study show

Answer 3

Classical conditioning : Watson and Rayner

how we can learn to associate something of which we have no fear for

Question 4

How does little albert link to phobias

Answer 4

Classical conditioning
Little albert case shows how a phobia can be acquired through classical conditioning.
The UCS was a loud noise which created a UCR which was fear. This was associated 6 times with the NS which was white rats that caused no response turning the NS into the CS and therefore the CR was fear of the white rats

Question 5

What is stimulus generalisation?

Answer 5

Simlar stimulus to the feard stimulus like the white rat (fluffy things, other animals) evoked some fear response

Question 6

What is the study for maintenance and what is the outcome

Answer 6

operant conditioning - takes place when behaviour is reinforced (shows why people continue to avoid a feared stimulus)

this is done by negative reinforcement - An individual avoids something which is unpleasant. The outcome is a positive experience
(avoid phobic stimulus = escape the anxiety)

Question 7

what are the positive and negative evaluations of the behaviourist explanation to phobias

Answer 7

• good practical application
• alternative explanation e.g. cognitive approach
  -alternative explanation e.g. biological
• Diathesis stress model

Question 8

Evaluate the behaviourist explanation to phobias
- good practical application

Answer 8

P - good practical application
E - The 2 process model can provide convincing explanations of why people have phobias
E.g. - Many people who have phobias can remember a traumatic event where the phobias was acquired
L - This is a strength as it allows us to understand how to treat the disorder
e.g. systematic desensitisation and flooding

Question 9

Evaluate the behaviourist explanation to phobias
P- alternative explanations (cognitive)

Answer 9

E- For example the behaviourist approach does not take into account the cognitive factors
E.g. - the cognitive approach suggests phobias may develop as a consequence of irrational thinking e.g. I might get in a lift and suffocate
L - this is a limitation because other treatments such as Cognitive behavioural therapy may be used alongside or as an alternative if the phobia stemmed from cognitive factors

Question 10

Evaluate the behaviourist explanation to phobias
p- alternative explanations (biological)

Answer 10

E- Seligman (1970) argued phobias don’t have to be learnt as humans are genetically pre-programmed to form associations between life threatening stimuli and fear
E.g. - We naturally fear things that can cause us danger in our evolutionary past (spiders, heights etc) and not modern day appliances this is called biological preparedness
L- this is a limitation because it makes it difficult to affirm the effectiveness of the 2 way process and suggests its not as simple as conditioning

Question 11

Evaluate the behaviourist explanation to phobias
P - diathesis stress model

Answer 11

E - the diathesis stress model proposes we must inherit a genetic vulnerability for mental disorders making people more vulnerable to phobias
E.g. - phobias aren’t always learnt following a traumatic event - not everyone who has been bit by a dog is afraid of dogs
L - this is a weakness of the behaviourist approach as it suggests that conditioning alone doesn’t cause phobias and genetics should also be taken into account

Question 12

What is the diathesis stress model

Answer 12

Diathesis - genetic vulnerability
stress - environmental tigger

interaction of multiple factors
Genetic vulnerability + environmental trigger