chapter 3 - behavioural approach to phobia

Question 1

what does the behavioural approach argue?

Answer 1

the fear and avoidance behaviours of phobias are learned as a result of a frightening experience
-can be unlearned through behavioural therapies

Question 2

who came up with the two process model?

Answer 2

Mowrer

Question 3

what are the two processes in mowrers two process model to acquiring a phobia?

Answer 3

1) person learns to associate the phobic object with fear due to a frightening experience (classical conditioning)
2) person learns to avoid or escape the object (operant conditioning)

Question 4

how would the model work using the button example for classical conditioning?

Answer 4

UCS - choking UCR- fear

CS - button CR - fear

Question 5

how would the model work using the button example for operant conditioning?

Answer 5

button-fear-avoids button-fest reduces-avoidance negative reinforcement

Question 6

what evidence is there supporting the role of classical conditioning?

Answer 6

WATSON AND RAYMER 1920-LITTLE ALBERT

Question 7

what was watsons aim and method?

Answer 7

aim-to investigate where fear could be acquired through classically conditioning
method-presented an 11 month old with a white rat,he initially played with th rat with no fear
-watson then scared the Albert overtime the rat appeared and he was clearly afraid

Question 8

results & conclusion of watson and raymers research?

Answer 8

results-he quickly began to show fear just at the sight of the white rat and he now associated the rat with fear
conclusion-finding support the theory that fear can be learned via classical conditioning as he wasn’t naturally afraid of the rat

Question 9

what evidence is there that animals may be biologically prepared to fear objects?

Answer 9

COOK AND MINKEA 1989

Question 10

why did mineka carry out the research?

Answer 10

• in the wild monkeys generally show fear of snakes,however its been noticed lab reared monkeys don’t automatically show fear suggesting they aren’t innately afraid
• mineka wanted to compare this

Question 11

what was minekas method?

Answer 11

• monkeys were shown a pic of a snake paired with a video of their mum acting fearfully
• researchers measured how quickly the monkeys began to show fear responses to the snake
• repeated with a rabid

Question 12

results of minekas study?conclusion?

Answer 12

• baby monkey quickly learned to be afraid of the snake but not the rabbit
• monkeys are biolically prepared to learn to be afriad of snakes

Question 13

strengths of mowrers model?

Answer 13

• high face validity as many people with phobias do recall a frightening or unpleasant experience
• considerable evidence

Question 14

weaknesses of mowers model?

Answer 14

• people have scary experiences yet don’t acquire a phobia
• doesnt take into account influeuce of cognitive phobias
• deosnt explain why some phobias are more common than others