Explanaitions Of Phobias Flashcards
What is the two process model?
Explains how phobias are learned. First stage is classical conditioning and second is operant conditioning. Both stages needed to explain why phobias occur in the first place and why they continue.
What is operant conditioning: maintenance?
It is the likelihood of a behaviour being repeated is increased if the outcome is rewarding. The avoidance of the phobic stimulus reduces fear and is reinforcing. This is an example of negative reinforcement. Individual avoids the anxiety created by avoiding the feared stimulus or situation entirely.
Evaluation in terms of biological preparedness
The fact that phobias do not always develop after traumatic incidents may be explained in terms of biological preparedness.
Seligman- animals including humans are genetically programmed to rapidly learn an association between potentially life threatening stimuli and fear.
These stimulus are referred to as ancient fears such as snakes and heights. Would’ve been adaptive to learn such stimuli.
Would explain why some people are much less likely to develop fears of modern objects such as toasters or computers as such items were not a danger in our evolutionary past.
Behavioural approach cannot explain all phobias.
Evaluation in terms of the fact that the two process model ignores cognitive factors.
Alternative explanation is the cognitive approach wich suggests phobias may develop as a consequence of irrational thinking. Such thoughts great anxiety and may trigger a phobia. Value of this alt explain. Is that it leads to cognitive therapies such as cbt that may in some situations be more successful than behaviourist treatments
