PHOBIAS [behavioural explanation] Flashcards
What are the 2 components in the two-process model?
CLASSICAL CONDITIONING
OPERANT CONDITIONING
What is classical conditioning?
Learning through association
What is operant conditioning?
Shaping and maintaining behaviours through rewards and consequences
What is the process of classical conditioning?
US = UR
US + NS = UR
CS = CR
What are the two types of operant conditioning?
POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT
NEGATIVE REINFORCEMENT
What is positive reinforcement?
Repeating behaviour as it results in a reward
What is negative reinforcement?
Repeating behaviour as it results in the reduction or avoidance of something unpleasant
How does conditioning explain phobias?
It associates specific stimuli with the feeling of anxiety, which is then maintained as avoidance reduces anxiety
How might classical conditioning occur in relation to phobias?
A bad experience may associate an object or situation with negative emotions of anxiety
How might operant conditioning occur in relation to phobias?
- Avoidance reduces anxiety
- Emotional reaction results in attention/sympathy
What is the strength of the two-process behavioural explanation?
GOOD EXPLANATORY POWER
- it explains how phobias are created and maintained, which can then be used to help therapies challenge phobias
- explains why exposure therapy is necessary
How has this model’s explanation of avoidance been challenged? PHOBIAS
It suggests that avoidance is only motivated by anxiety reduction
- BUCK found that some people are motivated by positive feelings of safety
How is this explanation incomplete? PHOBIAS TWO PROCESS
BOUNTON points out that evolutionary factors probably have a role as well, through biological preparedness, as people easily acquire phobias of things that used to be past dangers
What is the problem with explaining phobias through learning?
Some phobias don’t follow a trauma, therefore it is not learned behaviour
