Psychopathology - Behavioural Approach To Explaining Phobias Flashcards
What is the behavioural approach?
A way of explaining behaviour in terms of what is observable and in terms of learning.
What is classical conditioning?
Learning by association. Occurs when two stimuli are repeatedly paired together – an unconditioned (unlearned) stimulus (UCS) and a new “neutral” stimulus (NS). The neutral stimulus eventually produces the same response that was first produced by the unlearned stimulus alone.
What is operant conditioning?
A form of learning in which behaviour is shaped and maintained by its consequences. Possible consequences of behaviour include positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, or punishment.
What does the two-process model propose about phobias?
Hobart Mowrer (1960) proposed that phobias are acquired through classical conditioning and maintained through operant conditioning.
How does classical conditioning explain the acquisition of phobias?
Phobias are acquired by associating a neutral stimulus (NS) with something that already triggers a fear response (UCS → UCR).
E.g., Little Albert experiment (Watson and Rayner, 1920): A white rat (NS) was paired with a loud noise (UCS) that produced a fear response (UCR). Albert began to fear the white rat (now CS) and this response generalized to other similar objects like furry animals or cotton wool.
How are phobias maintained by operant conditioning?
Behaviour is reinforced (rewarded) or punished. For example, avoidance of a phobic stimulus reduces fear (negative reinforcement).
Reduction in fear reinforces the avoidance behaviour, maintaining the phobia.
What is one strength of the two-process model?
Good explanatory power: It explains why patients need to be exposed to their feared stimulus during treatment. Avoidance behaviour must stop for reinforcement to break. This application improves therapies like systematic desensitisation.
What is a limitation of the two-process model’s explanation of avoidance?
Avoidance may not always be motivated by anxiety reduction but by feelings of safety. For example, agoraphobics may feel able to leave their house if accompanied by someone they trust. This suggests avoidance may be motivated by safety rather than anxiety reduction (Buck, 2010).
What is one limitation of the two-process model regarding evolutionary factors?
Incomplete explanation: Evolutionary factors, such as biological preparedness (Seligman, 1971), are not accounted for. For example, we are more likely to fear things that were sources of danger in our evolutionary past (e.g., snakes), but less likely to fear modern dangers like guns, which are recent.
How does preparedness undermine the two-process model?
The phenomenon of biological preparedness highlights that some phobias are more easily acquired because of evolutionary factors, showing that more than classical and operant conditioning is involved.
