behavourial approach too explaining phobias two process model Flashcards
classical conditioning definition
learning by association
occurs when two stimuli are repeatedly paired together
an unconditioned stimulus and a neutral stimulus
the neutral stimulus eventually produces the same reponse that was first produced by the unlearned stimulus alone
operant conditioning definition
a form of learning in which behaviour is shaped and maintained by its consequence
possible consequences of behaviour include positive reinforcement negative reinforcement or punishment
behavourial approach definition
a way of explains behaviour in terms of what is observable and in terms of learning
who proposed the two process model and when
mowrer 1960
based on the behavourial approach to phobias
phobias are acquired by classical conditioning and maintained by operant conditioning
acquisition by classical conditioning
Watson and Rayner 1920
created a phobia in Albert , Albert showed no unusual anxiety at the start of the study when shown a white rat
experimenters wanted to give Albert a phobia
whenever the rat was presented they made a loud noise by banging an iron bar next to alberts ear, UCS which creates an UCR of fear
when the rat NS and the UCS are encountered close together in time the NS becomes associated with the UCS and both now produce a fear response
Albert is now frightened when he sees the rat, the rat is now a conditioned stimulus that produces a conditioned response .
this conditioning is generalised to similiar objects , fur coat , Santa etc Albert showed distress
maintenance by operant conditioning
mowrer
responses acquired by classical conditioning usually tend to decline over time, however phobias are long lasting.
Mowrer explained this in terms of operant conditioning . takes placed when behaviour is reinforced or punished. reinforcement tends to increase the frequency of the behaviour , true of both positive and negative reinforcement
negative = individuals avoid a situation that is unpleasant
mowrer suggested that whenever we avoid a phobic stimulus we successfully escape the fear and the anxiety that we would of suffered if we remain there
this reduction in fear reinforces the avoidance behaviour and so the phobia is maintained
good explanatory power
strength
step forward in the right direction when proposed in 1960 , went beyond Watsons and Rayners concept of classical conditioning
explains how phobias can be maintained over time and need to be exposed to their stimulus
once a patient is prevented from practising their avoidance behaviour the behaviour ceases to be reinforced so declines
the application to therapy is a strength of the two process model
alternative explanation for avoidance behaviour
limitation
not all avoidance behaviour associated with phobias seems to be the result of anxiety reduction in more complex phobias like agoraphobia
evidence to suggest that atleast some avoidance behaviours seem to be motivated more by positive feelings of safety , the motivating factor in choosing an action ie not leaving the house is not to avoid the stimulus but to stick with the safety factor
this explains why some parents with agoraphobia are able to leave their house with a trusted person with relatively low anxiety but no alone BUCK 2010
this is a problem for the two process model as it suggests that avoidance behaviour is motivated by anxiety reduction
an incomplete explanation of phobias
if we accept classical and operant conditioning are involved int he development and maintenance of phobias there are some aspects of phobic behaviour that need explaining further
BOUNTON 2007 points out for example that evolutionary factors probably have an important role in phobias but the two process model does not mention this
ie we easily acquire phobias of things that have been a source of danger in our evolutionary past ie snakes or the dark . it is adaptive to acquire such fears .
SELIGMAN 1971 called this biological preparedness , the innate disposition to accquire certain fears however it is quite rare to develop a fear of cars or guns which are more dangerous today . presumably this is because they have only developed recently so we are not biologically prepared to earn fear responses towards them.
the pheneonemen on preparedness is a serious problem for the two process theory as it shows there is more behind acquiring a fear then conditioning .
