HELP NEEDED psychopathology: explanations of phobias Flashcards
What does the behaviourist approach focus on in the acquisition of behaviour?
The role of learning phobias
it focuses on how learning influences behavior
What are the behavioural symptoms of a phobia?
- Panic
- Endurance
- Avoidance
Who proposed the two-process model of phobias?
Mowrer
What does the two-process model state about the acquisition of phobias?
Phobias are acquired by classical conditioning
Define classical conditioning.
Learning through association
How are phobias maintained according to the two-process model?
Through operant conditioning
Define operant conditioning.
Behaviour is shaped and maintained through consequences
What does classical conditioning involve in the context of phobias?
learning to associate something which we initially have no fear (neural stimulus) with something that already triggers a fear response (unconditioned stimulus).
* This will produce a conditioned stimulus which will now produce a conditioned response of fear.
What is a conditioned stimulus?
A previously neutral stimulus that produces a conditioned response of fear
What is the result of avoiding a phobic stimulus?
eg: running from a snake
you calm down and the fear and anxiety disappear > you do this the next time you see the phobic stimulus because you know it will make you feel better
Why do phobias often last long according to Mowrer?
Because of operant conditioning
Fill in the blank: Phobias are acquired by _______.
classical conditioning
Fill in the blank: Phobias are maintained by _______.
operant conditioning
AO3: incomplete explanation
A weakness of this explanation is that it cannot explain all phobias.
Some of the most common phobias occur over time, rather than being due to an association with an
unpleasant stimulus for example, social phobias (such as the fear of being in a crowd or public speaking).
WEAKNESS as this suggests that the behavioural explanation cannot explain all phobias. As all phobias may not be due to an association. Instead phobias may be due to an irrational belief. So this theory is incomplete.
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AO3: can’t explain cognitive characteristics
One weakness of the behavioural explanation of phobias is that it cannot explain cognitive characteristics
Social phobias (fear of crowds, fear of speaking in public etc.) are heavily associated with irrational thinking. These phobias are usually comorbid with other cognitive disorders such as depression.
WEAKNESS as failing to consider cognitive factors provides an incomplete explanation of how cognitive factors like irrational beliefs may play a part in forming phobias
AO3: real life application
there is real life application
The approach has led to the treatment of phobias using systematic desensitisation. This is where the patient and therapist create an anxiety hierarchy. The therapist teaches the patient to relax as deeply as possible. Finally the patient is exposed to the phobic stimulus while in a relaxed state. When the patient can stay relaxed in the presence of the lower levels of the phobic stimulus they move up the hierarchy. The treatment is successful when the patient can stay relaxed in situations high on the anxiety hierarchy.
STRENGTH as this supports classical conditioning as it demonstrates that the negative association with the phobic stimulus can be replaced with more positive ones.
AO3: real life evidence
There is real life evidence to support the behaviourist approaches explanation to phobias
Little Albert was conditioned to develop a phobia of a white rat. He associate the loud noise (UCS) with the white rat (NS). As a result the white rate developed into the CS which produces a CR of fear.
STRENGTH as this supports the idea that phobias are acquired through association between NS and UCS
