disadvantage of the two process model

Question 1

Name one disadvantage of the two process model?

Answer 1

it has an incomplete explanation

Question 2

how would you elaborate on your first disadvantage of the two process model?

Answer 2

• If the neutral stimulus is associated with a fearful experience the result should be a phobia (this does not always happen)
• Di Nardo et al, 1998 found research that stated not everyone bitten by a dog develops a phobia which is demonstrated through the diathesis-stress model
  This is a disadvantage as this behavioural explanation is not complete on its own.

Question 3

Name a second disadvantage of the two process model

Answer 3

The two process model ignores cognitive factors

Question 4

How would you elaborate your second disadvantage

Answer 4

• another alternative explanation would be the cognitive approach which argues that the thinking processes (irrational thoughts) that occurs between a stimulus and a response are accountable for the feeling element of the response
• Tomarken et al presented a series of slides of snake neutral images (trees) to phobic and non phobic participants. The phobic tended to visualise and overestimate the number of snake images presented
• ignoring the role of cognition is problematic as irrational thinking is a key feature of phobias

Question 5

Name a final disadvantage of the two process model

Answer 5

The idea that phobias do not always develop after a traumatic incident may be explained in terms of biological prepardness.

Question 6

How would you elaborate on your final disadvantage?

Answer 6

• Martin Seligman in the 1970s argued that animals, including humans are genetically programmed to rapidly learn an association with potentially life-threatening stimuli and fear (ancient fears)
• it would have been adaptive to rapidly learn to avoid such stimuli (behavioural characteristics)
• this could explain why people are less likely to develop a fear of modern objects (they were not a danger in the past)
• this means that the behavioural approach does not explain all phobias