Cognition: Phobias

Question 1

Phobia

Answer 1

An extreme or irrational fear of or aversion to something

Question 2

Mowrer (1947): Two Process Model

Answer 2

Model explains how phobias are:

• Learned through classical conditioning
• Maintained through operant conditioning

Question 3

Classical Conditioning

Answer 3

We learn to associate something we do not fear (NS) with something that triggers a fear response (UCS)

Example: A dog (NS) is associated with being bitten (UCS)

After an association has formed, the dog causes a response of fear and we develop a phobia following a single event of being bitten.

Question 4

Observational Conditioning

Answer 4

Phobias can be negatively reinforced by an unpleasant consequence being removed

Example: A person with a phobia of dogs avoids a dog while on a walk. This reduces feelings of anxiety and negatively reinforces this avoidance, making them more likely to avoid dogs and therefore maintaining their phobia.