Learning theory explanations - phobias Flashcards
Outline the two process model?
Mowrer’s 1960 model is based on classical and operant conditioning theory and explains how phobias are acquired (classical) and maintained (operant)
How are phobias acquired by classical conditioning?
Learning to associate a NS (e.g shopping) with an UCS (e.g.getting mugged) which triggers fear response (UCR)
Through association, the NS become a CS producing a CR of fear
How are phobias maintained by operant conditioning?
-Extinction = Responses acquired by classical conditioning tend to decline over time (extinction) but phobias are consistent
-Avoidance = Negative reinforcement occurs when the person has an avoidance behaviour about their phobia. When they retreat, they are negatively reinforced by the removal of anxiety they felt due to the phobias presence. This increases the likelihood of avoidance the retreat behaviour, maintaining the phobia.
How does social learning theory (observation and imitation) cause phobias?
Cook and Mineka 1989 - Observational learning is another way for the acquisition of phobias
Demonstrated in infant rhesus monkeys = watched adult monkeys displaying anxiety towards fear relevant stimulus (e.g toy snake) and the infants then acquired fear of those toys
Humans may acquire phobias by imitating the fear responses modelled by other people e.g. parents
Explains why there are gender differences in phobias (Kay and Morrison 2004)- men display less visible fear than women, so sons are less likely to acquire phobias than daughters
Strength of Learning theory explanation of phobias?
Evidence from animal and human studies:
-Watson and Rayner’s study of LA = evidence of acquisition of fear responses in humans
-Mowrer’s study of rats = evidence for maintenance of fear in animals (grandchildren still had phobia)
-Cook and Mineka = social learning of fear for infant rhesus monkeys
[even if learning isn’t complete explanation of phobias, it is a key part of our understanding of phobias]
Weakness of learning theory explanation of phobias?
Cannot explain all aspects of phobias:
-Can easily acquire phobias of things that have been a source of danger in our evolutionary past (e.g. snakes or dark) but not of other things even though they are far more hazardous [DOESNT EXPLAIN THE EVOLUTIONARY ASPECT OF PHOBIAS]
-ALSO, some people acquire phobias without conditioning or modelling
[ Not a complete explanation for the acquisition of phobias - other factors must be involved]
Application of learning theory explanation of phobias?
Successful phobia treatment:
Systematic desensitisation and flooding are based on classical conditioning as a way to treat phobias
Systematic desensitisation helps clients learn new responses to phobic stimuli, whilst flooding works by extinction of the learned fear response
[Illustrates the practical value of learning explanation for phobias]
3 types of phobias?
Specific (e.g.snakes, heights, cancer)
Social (e.g.eating in public)
Agoraphobia (fear of situations where escape is difficult or help is unavailable if things go wrong)
Outline the two process model?
Mowrer’s 1960 model is based on classical and operant conditioning theory and explains both acquisition (classical) and maintenance (operant) of phobias
How are phobias acquired by classical conditioning?
Learning to associate a NS (e.g shopping) with an UCS (e.g.getting mugged) which triggers fear response (UCR)
Through association, the NS become a CS producing a CR of fear
