Psychopathology 3 | The behavioural approach to explaining and treating phobias Flashcards
AO1 What is the behavioural approach to explaining phobias
The behavioural approach sees phobias as learned behaviours acquired through classical conditioning and maintained through operant conditioning known as the two process model
AO1 What is the two process model of phobias proposed by Mowrer 1960
The two process model suggests that phobias are acquired through classical conditioning and maintained through operant conditioning through negative reinforcement
AO1 How does classical conditioning explain the acquisition of a phobia
Classical conditioning involves associating a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus that produces fear leading to the neutral stimulus becoming a conditioned stimulus that triggers a conditioned fear response
AO1 How does operant conditioning maintain a phobia
Operant conditioning maintains phobias through negative reinforcement as avoiding the phobic stimulus reduces anxiety which strengthens the avoidance behaviour
AO1 What is systematic desensitisation
Systematic desensitisation is a behavioural therapy that gradually reduces phobic anxiety through counterconditioning and uses techniques like relaxation and an anxiety hierarchy
AO1 What are the three key processes involved in systematic desensitisation
The three processes are formation of an anxiety hierarchy teaching the patient relaxation techniques and gradual exposure to the phobic stimulus while in a relaxed state
AO1 What is flooding
Flooding is a behavioural therapy that involves immediate and prolonged exposure to the phobic stimulus to prevent avoidance and allow extinction of the conditioned fear response
AO1 Why does flooding work
Flooding works because the body cannot maintain high anxiety levels indefinitely and eventually the fear response is extinguished as the stimulus is experienced without the expected negative outcome
AO3 What is one strength of the behavioural explanation of phobias
A strength is that it has real world application as it led to effective treatments such as systematic desensitisation and flooding supporting the validity of the model
AO3 What is a limitation of the two process model regarding preparedness
A limitation is that it cannot explain why some phobias like fear of snakes are more common suggesting biological preparedness plays a role which the model ignores
AO3 Why might the behavioural model be considered reductionist
It is reductionist because it only focuses on learning and ignores cognitive and biological factors involved in phobias
AO3 What is a strength of systematic desensitisation compared to flooding
It is more ethical and better tolerated by patients due to its gradual approach and use of relaxation leading to lower dropout rates
AO3 What is a limitation of flooding
It can be highly traumatic and distressing for patients leading to higher dropout rates and making it unsuitable for vulnerable individuals
AO3 Why is the behavioural approach limited in explaining phobias fully
It ignores the role of irrational thoughts and beliefs which are central in cognitive explanations of phobias limiting its explanatory power
