Psychopathology- Behavioural approach to explaining and treating phobias- TB

Question 1

How does the behavioural approach explain phobias?

Answer 1

Suggests they are learned behaviours

Question 2

Who proposed the two-process model?

Answer 2

Mowrer (1947)

Question 3

What model explains how phobias are acquired and maintained?

Answer 3

The two-process model

Question 4

What is the first stage of the two-process model?

Answer 4

Acquisition of the phobia via classical conditioning

Question 5

What occurs in the first (acquisition) stage of the two-process model?

Answer 5

A NS is paired with a UCS and becomes associated to cause a UCR via this classical conditioning, so the CS leads to a CR without the UCS

Question 6

What is the second stage of the two-process model?

Answer 6

Maintenance of the phobia via operant conditioning

Question 7

What occurs in the second (maintenance) stage of the two-process model?

Answer 7

Negative reinforcement , avoidance of the feared object=reward

Question 8

How might a fear of a dog be negatively reinforced?

Answer 8

Take away dog and comfort person

Question 9

What is negative reinforcement?

Answer 9

Taking away something unpleasant, increasing the likelihood of a behaviour occurring

Question 10

What is the key study to do with the behavioural approach to explaining phobias?

Answer 10

Little Albert- Watson & Rayner (1920)

Question 11

What was the aim of the Little Albert study (1920)?

Answer 11

To show how emotional responses can be learned through classical conditioning

Question 12

What was the procedure of the Little Albert study (1920)?

Answer 12

11 month old Albert presented with furry animals/objects & was content with it, then a loud noise was made with a steel bar every time the animals/objects were present- 3 times
Repeated a week later

Question 13

What were the findings of the Little Albert study (1920)?

Answer 13

Albert began to cry & was very distressed whenever he was presented with one of these animals/objects or anything similar to them

Question 14

What research method was used in the Little Albert study (1920)?

Answer 14

Laboratory experiment

Question 15

What was the 1) NS/CS, 2) UCS & 3) UCR/CR in the little albert study?

Answer 15

1) Furry animals/ objects
2) Loud noise
3) Fear

Question 16

What aspect of the two-process model does the Little Albert study (1920) demonstrate?

Answer 16

The acquisition phase

Question 17

What are 5 limitations of the behavioural explanations of phobias?

Answer 17

1) Some cant relate their phobias to experience
2) Diathesis-stress model
3) Research evidence to support social learning as an explanation
4) Cognitive factors overlooked by the two-process model
5) Biological preparedness may explain why some phobias are more prevalent than others

Question 18

Explain relating phobias to experience as a support/criticism of behavioural explanations of phobias

Answer 18

Some can relate which supports explanation, but some people can’t- meaning phobias may be due to other processes (or they forgot)

Question 19

Explain the diathesis-stress model as a limitation of behavioural explanations of phobias

Answer 19

Suggests we inherit a genetic vulnerability to develop phobias & mental disorders, but will only manifest itself when triggered, so phobia only develops if gene is present

Question 20

What research evidence is there to support social learning as an explanation of phobias rather than behavioural

Answer 20

Bandura & Rosenthal (1966) A model acted in pain when a buzzer went off, observants then demonstrated acquired fear response

Question 21

Explain ignoring cognitive factors as a limitation of the two-process model

Answer 21

e.g. irrational thoughts may create extreme anxiety & trigger a phobia

Question 22

Explain biological preparedness as a limitation of behavioural explanation of phobias

Answer 22

Seligman (1970) argued people are genetically more likely to learn survival related stimuli due to our evolutionary past- explaining why ancient fears are more prevalent than modern fears

Question 23

What are the two behavioural treatments of phobias?

Answer 23

1) Systematic desensitisation (SD)
2) Flooding

Question 24

How many stages does SD have?

Answer 24

5

Question 25

What’s the 1st stage of SD?

Answer 25

Patient learns relaxation techniques

Question 26

What’s the 2nd stage of SD?

Answer 26

Construct a desensitisation hierarchy of fear

Question 27

What’s the 3rd stage of SD?

Answer 27

Begin at lowest level of hierarchy, practice relaxation techniques until fully engaged with that feared stimuli (in vitro or in vivo) whilst relaxed

Question 28

What’s the 4th stage of SD?

Answer 28

Patient then moves on to next level of hierarchy & repeats stage 3 (relaxation)

Question 29

What’s the 5th stage of SD?

Answer 29

Once at highest level of hierarchy while relaxed, they’ve achieved counterconditioning

Question 30

What are 3 strengths of systematic desensitisation?

Answer 30

1) Research supports effectiveness
2) Behavioural therapies are generally faster, cheaper & less effort
3) Appropriate for all people, including those with learning difficulties

Question 31

Explain research supporting SD effectiveness as a strength of SD

Answer 31

Successful for a range of phobias- 75% of patients with phobias respond to SD
More successful in vivo than in vitro

Question 32

What are 3 criticisms of systematic desensitisation?

Answer 32

1) Is SD appropriate for all types of phobias?
2) Symptom substitution
3) Research suggests relaxation not needed as much as being exposed to feared stimuli

Question 33

Explain SD not being appropriate for all phobias as a criticism of SD

Answer 33

Ohman et al- not appropriate for phobias that have an underlying evolutionary survival component (e.g. heights) but are for phobias due to personal experience

Question 34

Explain symptom substitution as a criticism of SD

Answer 34

Symptoms may be tip of the iceberg- if symptoms are removed, cause remains so symptoms may return

Question 35

Explain research suggesting relaxation isn’t needed as much as being exposed to fear as a criticism of SD

Answer 35

Exposure to feared stimuli is more important, or expectation to cope with feared stimuli

Question 36

What is flooding?

Answer 36

Exposure therapy based on classical conditioning involving in vivo exposure by exposing the sufferer to the feared situation for an extended period of time in a safe and controlled environment

Question 37

What are 2 evaluation points of flooding?

Answer 37

1) MIXED- Effectiveness- mixed evidence, some found flooding more effecive than SD but others found some effectiveness as SD
2) CRIT- Appropriateness- individual differences (can be traumatising)