Explaining Phobias: Behavioural Approach

Question 1

what does the behavioural approach use to explain phobias

Answer 1

two process model

Question 2

who created the two process model

Answer 2

Mower’s (1960)

Question 3

outline the two process model: introduction

Answer 3

Behaviourists argue that phobias are learned through the environment

Mower’s (1960) ‘two process model states that phobias are acquired (learned in the first place) by classical conditioning and maintained (continue) because of operant conditioning

Question 4

outline the two process model: acquisition by classical conditioning

Answer 4

It is argued that phobias are acquired (first learnt) through classical conditioning (learning by assocratron) as demonstrated by the study of ‘Little Albert’ (Watson and Rayner (1920))

Albert had no fear of the white rat at the start of the study, so the rat is a neutral stimulus (NS)

A loud noise is an unconditioned stimulus (UCS) that naturally produces an unconditioned response (UCR) of fear (or distress)

over time, when they presented Albert with both a white rat and the noise, he learned to associate the noise with the rat

As a result, the white rat became a conditioned stimulus (CS) producing the conditioned response (CR) of fear regardless of whether the noise was present

Question 5

who conducted the Little Albert experiment

Answer 5

Watson and Rayner (1920)

Question 6

outline the two process model: maintenence by operant conditioning

Answer 6

Phobias are then maintained as a result of operant conditioning (learning by icinforcement) which focuses on the consequences of behaviour

One consequence is positive reinforcement (or the addition of something positive - a reward) when a certain behaviour is performed

Another consequence is negative reinforcement (or the removal of something negative) when a behaviour is performed

Negative reinforcement explains how phobias can be maintained

Sufferers often avoid phobic stimuli that are unpleasant, this results in the removal of something negative (e.g. feelings of fear) and this leads to a desirable consequence (e.g. reduced anxiety in relation to the phobic stimuli)

The reduction in anxiety reinforces the avoidance behaviour and maintains the phobia

Both types of reinforcement increase the likelihood of a behaviour being repeated.

Question 7

Evaluation: two-process model
- STRENGTHS

Answer 7

P: ‘scientific:
E: focuses on observable and measurable
behaviour which can be tested in controlled conditions
E: eg, the phobia developed by ‘Little Albert’ following conditioning was clear to see and measure
L: enables the approach to be supported by empical evidence.

P: practical applications
E: ‘systematic desensitisation’ (which uses classical conditioning to ‘unlearn’ previously learned phobias) has been shown to be an extremely successful therapy for a range of different phobias
E: evidence to support this from McGrath et al (1990) who found that 75% of phobic patients showed an improvement in their symptoms after treatment
L: useful in developing treatments that are effective in addressing phobias

P: seen as ‘humane’ due to being enronmentally determinist
E: suggests phobias are caused by factors outside of our conscious control (i.e. environmental factors)
E: eg, if a person develops a phobia, this may have been ‘programmed’ by their environment and there is nothing the person can do to avoid it
L: removes blame from the patient if the illness is seen as something they could not control

Question 8

Evaluation: two-process model
- LIMITATIONS

Answer 8

P: criticised for not providing a complete explanation for all phobias
E: argued that phobias with an underlying evolutionary component (i.e. fears that are more instinctive and beneficial for survival) may not have been learned through experience
E: eg, it is thought fears of the dark, heights or dangerous animals may be the result of evolution
L: problem for the two-process model as it shows there is more to phobias than simple conditioning

P: criticised for being reductionist
E: reduce phobias down to the activity of specific variables such as environmental (external), and this ignores the role that inborn biological (internal) factors may play
E: eg, many people develop a phobia despite never having a related bad experience
L: behavioural approach may be limited and oversimplify complex behaviours, like phobias which require a more holistic approach to fully explain them