phobias

Question 1

What is a phobia?

Answer 1

An excessive, extreme, irrational fear or panic about a situation, living creature or object which causes severe anxiety

Question 2

How does classical conditioning explain phobias?

Answer 2

Classical conditioning suggests that phobias occur when a person associated a neutral stimulus with the response which causes fear

Question 3

Who supports classical conditioning alongside phobias?

Answer 3

Sue et al found that people with phobias often recall a specific incident when their phobias appear

Question 4

Who conflicts classical conditioning explanation of phobias?

Answer 4

Kleinknecht studied the American tarantula society and none reported a direct traumatic event associated with classical conditioning

Question 5

How does operant conditoning explain phobias?

Answer 5

Operant conditioning suggests that phobias can be learnt by repeatedly reinforcing avoidance of a mildly fearful situation
- phobias can also be maintained through operant conditioning by negative reinforcement

Question 6

How does social learning theory explain phobias?

Answer 6

• Pay attention to a role model when displaying the phobia
• retain the phobia/ fear
• reproduce when you encounter the stimulus which leads to the phobia
• motivation- someone calming you down / giving attention