Psychopathology : Phobias

Question 1

Who is Mowrer (1947)

Answer 1

Mowrer (1947) propose a two process model, to explain how phobias are learned through classical conditioning and maintained through operant conditioning

Question 2

What is classical conditioning

Answer 2

Classical conditioning is a process of learning by association to stimuli together to condition(learn) a response

Question 3

Explain the process of a classical conditioning

Answer 3

An example is a lift which is a neutral stimulus which we associate with being small and trapped ( unconditioned stimulus ) as a result the lift becomes a (condition stimulus) and causes a response of fear which is a (conditioned response) because we have developed a phobia of a lift. By putting the idea of a left and trapped together

Question 4

Who investigated whether a firm response could be learnt through classical conditioning in humans?

Answer 4

Watson & Rayner (1920)

Question 5

What did Watson and Rayner (1920) do?

Answer 5

-Watson and Rayner struck a metal bar with a hammer behind the little Alberts ( 11 month year old ) head causing a very loud noise we start with him every time he went to reach for the rat. They did this three times as a result every time little Albert was showing a white rat he started crying.

Question 6

What did Watson & Rayner experiment show?

Answer 6

Experiment revealed the little Albert had generalises feature of a white fairy objects for example white Santa Claus beard. It also demonstrated that a fair response could be induced to through the process of classical conditioning in humans.

Question 7

What is the theory of operant conditioning?

Answer 7

• phobias can be negatively reinforced
• For example if a person with a phobia of elevators takes the stairs on a regular basis instead of the elevators this avoidance reduces the persons feelings of anxiety and so negatively reinforces their behaviour and making them more likely to repeat this behaviour in the future as a result will continue to avoid lift and maintain their phobia of lifts

Question 8

Evaluation of the behavioural approach to explaining phobias

Answer 8

• Watson & Rayner (1920) experiment shows that the idea that classical conditioning is involved in acquiring phobias and humans also that generalisation can occur to other phobic stimuli
• The behaviourist ideas have been used to develop treatments including systematic desensitisation and flooding
• The cognitive approach has also led to development of cognitive behavioural therapy in the treatment which is said to be more successful than behaviourist treatment

Question 9

What is systematic desensitisation?

Answer 9

Systematic desensitisation uses reverse counter-conditioning to unlearn the maladaptive response to a situation or object, by eliciting another response (relaxation). There are three critical components to systematic desensitisation: 1) Fear hierarchy; 2) Relaxation training; 3) Reciprocal inhibition.

Question 10

What are three critical components to systematic desensitisation?

Answer 10

1) Fear hierarchy
2) relaxation thinking
3) Reciprocal inhibition

Question 11

Process that a therapist goes through using systematic desensitisation?

Answer 11

1) develop a fear hierarchy ( ranking fears high to low)
2) individual taught relaxation techniques
3) exposing the patient to their phobic situation whilst relax and going up the fear hierarchy gradually ( reciprocal inhibition)

Question 12

Evaluation of systematic desensitisation ?

Answer 12

• One strength of systematic desensitisation comes from research evidence that demonstrates the effectiveness of this treatment for phobias. McGrath in 1990 found that 75% of patients with phobias were successfully treated using systematic Desensitisation.
• systematic desensitisation is not effective in treating all phobias. Patients with phobias which have not developed through personal experience ( classical conditioning ) such as fear of snakes are not effectively treated using systematic desensitisation.
• some psychologist believe that certain phobias have an evolutionary survival benefit and I’m not the result of learning.

Question 13

What is Flooding?

Answer 13

Flooding is a behavioural therapy which rather than exposing a human to their phobic stimulus gradually exposes the individual to the anxiety inducing stimulus immediately. For example if someone has a fear of dogs they would be put in a room with a dog straight away and be asked to pet it.

Question 14

Why use flooding technique?

Answer 14

With flooding a person is unable to avoid their phobia( negative reinforce) and through continuous exposure anxiety levels eventually decrease. As a result the patient gets tired of being afraid and therefore starts to begin to feel a sense of calm and relief.

Question 15

Evaluation of flooding?

Answer 15

• One strength of flooding is it provide a cost-effective treatment for phobias. Patient care the phobias more quickly and it is therefore more cost-effective for health service providers who do not have the fund longer options.
• that can be higher traumatic for patients since it is purposefully raises a high level of anxiety
• can be a waste of time and money of patients do not engage or complete the full treatment

Question 16

What is symptom substitution

Answer 16

This means that although one Phobia is successfully removed through counter conditioning another might replace it.