Psychopathology - behavioural approach to explaining phobias

Question 1

What is the behavioural approach?

Answer 1

A way of explaining behaviour in terms of what is observable and in terms of learning

Question 2

What is a two process model?

Answer 2

An explanation for the onset and persistence of disorders that create anxiety such as phobias. Two processes are classical conditioning for onset and operant conditioning for persistence

Question 3

Classical and operant conditioning
(1 psychologist)

Answer 3

Mowrer argued that phobias are learned by classical conditioning and then maintained by operant conditioning

Question 4

Explain the 3 steps of classical conditioning which involves association

Answer 4

1. UCS triggers a fear response (fear is a UCR) e.g being bitten creates anxiety
2. NS is associated with the UCS e.g being bitten by a dog (dog previously did not create anxiety)
3. NS becomes a CS producing fear (now the CR). Dog becomes a CS causing CR of anxiety

Question 5

Describe what happened to little Albert in 3 steps when he conditioned fear

Answer 5

Watson and Rayner: Conditioned the fear of rats

1. Whenever Albert played with a white rate a loud noise was made close to his ear. The noise (UCS) caused fear response (UCR)
2. Rat (NS) did not create fear until bang and rat had been paired together several times
3. Albert showed fear (CR) every time he came into contact with the rat (CS)

Then showed fear in response to other white furry objects (generalisation of fear to other stimuli)

Question 6

Explain maintenance by operant conditioning using negative reinforcement

Answer 6

Negative reinforcement - an individual produces a behaviour that avoids something unpleasant

Person with a phobia avoids phobic stimulus they escape the anxiety that would have been experienced

Reduction in fear negatively reinforces the avoidance behaviour and phobia is maintained

e.g fear of clowns - avoid circuses and other situations where they may encounter one. Relief felt from avoiding negatively reinforces the phobia and ensures it is maintained rather than confronted

Question 7

What two strengths of the behavioural approach explaining phobias?

Answer 7

Two process model has real world application
Evidence linking phobias to bad experiences

Question 8

Explain how a strength of the behavioural approach in explaining phobias has a strength of the two process model having real world application

Answer 8

Point - One strength of the two process model is its real world application

Explanation - Idea that phobias are maintained by avoidance is important in explaining why people with phobias benefit from exposure

Once avoidance behaviour is prevented it ceases to be reinforced by the reduction of anxiety. Avoidance behaviour therefore declines

Link - Therefore an advantage because it shows the value of the two process approach because it identifies means of treating phobias

Question 9

Explain how a strength of the behaviour approach in explaining phobias has a strength of evidence links phobias to having bad experiences

Answer 9

Point - Another strength is evidence linking phobias to bad experiences

Evidence - Jongh found 73% of dental phobics had experienced trauma, evidence of linking bad experiences with phobias
Further support - control group of people with low dental anxiety (21% experienced traumatic event)

Link - Therefore a strength because it confirms the association between stimulus (dentistry) and UCR (pain) does lead to the phobia

Question 10

What is a counterpoint of the behavioural approach having evidence that links phobias to bad experiences?

Answer 10

Not all phobias appear following a bad experience. Snake phobias occur in populations where very few people have any experience of snakes.

Not all frightening experiences lead to phobias, behavioural theories probably do not provide an explanation for all cases of phobia

Question 11

What is a limitation of the behavioural approach explaining phobias

Answer 11

Inability to explain cognitive aspects of phobias

Question 12

Explain how a limitation of the behaviour approach in explaining phobias is the inability to explain cognitive aspects of phobias

Answer 12

Point - One limitation is the inability to explain cognitive aspects of phobias

Explanation - Behavioural explanations i.e two process model, geared towards explaining behaviour (avoidance of stimuli)

But also phobias have a cognitive component e.g people hold irrational beliefs about the phobic stimulus

Link - Therefore a limitation as the two process model does not fully explain symptoms of phobias