Evaluation: The Behavioural approach to explaining phobias

Question 1

State the 1st evaluation point of behavioural approach to explaining phobias

Answer 1

Support for SLT (Bandura & Rosenthal)
- In experiment:
> Model acted as if buzzer gave him pain when pressed
Therefore, participants later showed emotional reaction to buzzer
= Demonstrating acquired development of phobia

Question 2

State the 2nd evaluation point of behavioural approach to explaining phobias

Answer 2

Martin Seligman
Biological preparedness
- Animals = genetically programmed to learn on association between dangerous stimuli
- “ Ancient Fears “ - Dangerous things in evolutionary past
- People less likely to develop fears of modern objects
- Modern objects = More dangerous than etc… spiders, snakes

Question 3

State the 3rd evaluation point of behavioural approach to explaining phobias

Answer 3

The 2 process model ignores cognitive factors

• Alternative approach = Cognitive approach
• Cognitive aspects can’t be explained in behaviourist framework
• Phobias may develop due to irrational thinking
• Leads to Cognitive therapies such as CBT = more successful treatments than behaviourist treatments.