Psychopathology - Phobias (Behaviourist

Question 1

Intro to phobias

Answer 1

Phobias are intense, irrational fears
Can be about objects, animals, or situations

Question 2

The Two-Process model

Answer 2

Proposed by Hobart Mowrer
Explains how phobias are acquired and maintained
Combines classical and operant conditioning

Question 3

Acquiring phobias: Classical Conditioning

Answer 3

Neutral stimulus (balloon) + Unconditioned stimulus (loud noise)
Repeated pairings lead to association
Balloon becomes a conditioned stimulus
Now causes fear response on its own

Question 4

Maintaining phobias: Operant Conditioning

Answer 4

Maintained through negative reinforcement
Avoiding the wearer object/situation reduces anxiety
Strengthens the avoidance behaviour
- avoiding birthday parties with balloons

Question 5

Evidence: Little Albert Experiment

Answer 5

Watson and Rayner
Taught baby Albert to wear a white rat
Paired rat with loud noise
Albert learned to fear the rat

Question 6

Limitations of behaviourist explanation

Answer 6

Doesn’t account for biological factors
Ignores cognitive processes (thoughts, beliefs)
Not all fears are learned through direct experience
Some phobias may be inherited or prepared