PAPER 1 - PSYCHOPATHOLOGY - behavioural approach to explaining & treating phobias Flashcards
what is the key theory of the behavioural approach to explaining phobias?
2-process model by Mowrer involves classical and operant conditioning
what is the 2-process model by Mowrer?
- acquisition of the phobia - classical conditioning
- involves learning through association
- NS paired with UCS - become associated, leads to CR - maintenance of the phobia - operant conditioning
- avoidance of feared object = rewards = negative reinforcement
what was the aim of the Little Albert study by Watson and Rayner?
to show how emotional responses can be learned through classical conditioning
what was the procedure of the Little Albert study by Watson and Rayner?
- experimental lab study
- 11 month old Albert presented with white rat & was content
- every time white rat was presented, a loud nose was made - 3 times
- repeated this a week later
what were the findings of the Little Albert study by Watson and Rayner?
Albert began to cry and was very distressed whenever he was presented with a white rat or any small white fluffy creature
what were the findings of the Little Albert study by Watson and Rayner?
Albert began to cry and was very distressed whenever he was presented with a white rat or any small fluffy creature
what criticisms can be made from the Little Albert study?
- unethical
- no protection from psychological harm
what conclusions can be made from the Little Albert study?
phobias can be acquired through classical conditioning
what was the NS, UCS and UCR in the Little Albert study?
- NS - white fluffy objects
- UCS - noise
- UCR - being startled/fear
how is the fact that there is research evidence supporting SLT as an explanation, a limitation?
Bandura & Rosenthal - model acted in pain every time buzzer went off, observers showed emotional response to buzzer demonstrating acquired fear response
how is the fact that not everyone can relate their phobia to an experience a limitation?
not everyone can relate their phobia to an experience, can be a result of other processes not just classical conditioning, may have forgotten trauma
how is the 2-process model considered a limitation?
cognitive factors get overlooked e.g. irrational thinking may cause extreme anxiety and cause a phobia - leads to cognitive therapies
how is biological preparedness a limitation?
seligman argued that animals and humans are genetically programmed to rapidly learn association between potentially life threatening stimuli and fear
- ancient fears
- behavioural approach cant explain all phobias
why is the diathesis-stress model a limitation of the behaviourist approach?
- explains why not everyone develops a phobia from a negative experience
- proposes that we inherit genetic vulnerability for developing mental disorders, however it only manifests itself if triggered by a life event
what are the 2 therapies based on classical conditioning that are used to treat phobias?
systematic desensitisation (SD)
flooding