Phobias - Explanation

Question 1

What does the behavioural approach to explain phobias include

Answer 1

Two process model
The concepts of operant and classical conditioning
Mower (1947)

Question 2

What does the Two process model highlight

Answer 2

The importance of ‘learning’ in phobias. Combination of classical and operant conditioning can explain how phobias are learnt and why they are difficult to get rid of

Question 3

How does Classical conditioning create a phobia

Answer 3

We associate something we initially do not fear (neutral stimulus) with something that already triggered a fear response (unconditioned response). Watson claimed that most emotional responses (fear of objects) are learnt by CC

Question 4

Case study : little Albert

Answer 4

• Albert first introduced to a white rat and showed no fear response
• during the experiment each time Albert approached the rat a iron bar was struck by a hammer making a loud uncomfortable noise. Albert became distressed every time the noise was made and soon became afraid of the rat
• Albert soon developed a conditioned fear of the rat

Question 5

Operant conditioning

Answer 5

When our behaviour is reinforced or punished. If it is reinforced, it will increase frequency of behaviour

Question 6

How is negative reinforcement shown with phobias

Answer 6

When we avoid our phobias it means that we are negatively reinforced as we avoid a negative consequence of the phobia

Question 7

How is positive reinforcement shown with phobias

Answer 7

Behaviour is rewarded by successfully avoiding our phobia

Question 8

Positives of the behavioural explanation of phobias

Answer 8

• sue et al (1994) states that people with phobias do recall specific incidents when phobia appeared
• provides strategies for treating phobias that have proved extremely successful especially in specific phobias

Question 9

Positives of the behavioural explanation of phobias

Answer 9

• sue et al (1994) states that people with phobias do recall specific incidents when phobia appeared
• provides strategies for treating phobias that have proved extremely successful especially in specific phobias

Question 10

Negatives of behavioural explanation of phobias

Answer 10

• environmentally reductuonists
• conditioning is not the only way fears are acquired
• the person with a phobia is not always avoiding the unpleasant response
• DiNardo (1990)

Question 11

What did DiNardo experiment

Answer 11

DiNardo placed people into a room who were all bitten by a dog but not all developed a phobia

Question 12

What did Mineka (1984) suggest

Answer 12

Found that lab monkeys watching normal monkeys be scared of snakes, could develop fear of snakes (shows SLT explanation not behaviourism)