Psychopathology- The Behavioural Approach to Phobias Flashcards
What is the role of classical conditioning in phobias?
UCS (eg. bite) —> UCR (fear)
UCS (bite) + NS (dog) —> UCR (fear)
CS (dog) —> CR (fear)
How did Watson and Rayner show that phobias can be generalised?
They gave Little Albert a phobia of rats and he then was also afraid of other fluffy white objects
What does the two-process model suggest?
Phobias are acquired through classical conditioning and maintained through operant conditioning
What is the role of operant conditioning in phobias?
The avoidance of the phobic stimulus negatively reinforces the phobia
Who developed the two-process model?
Mowrer
What are the strengths of the two-process model?
- Real-world application
- Evidence for a link between phobias and traumatic experiences
What is a weakness of the two-process model?
It doesn’t account for cognitive aspects of phobias
What are the two treatments for phobias?
Systematic desensitisation and flooding
How does systematic desensitisation work?
By using counter-conditioning so that the person learns to associate the phobic stimulus with relaxation instead of fear
What is an anxiety hierarchy?
A list of feared events relating to the phobic stimulus ordered from least feared to most feared
How is the client taught to relax in systematic desensitisation?
Taught relaxation techniques such as deep breathing
How does counter-conditioning help to achieve relaxation?
Relaxation and anxiety can’t happen at the same time, so when they become relaxed during stages of the anxiety hierarchy then they are no longer scared- repeated up each stage of anxiety hierarchy
What does flooding involve?
Exposing the patient to the phobic stimulus straight away without any relaxation techniques
What are the advantages of behavioural therapy to treat phobias?
- Very effective for treating specific phobias
- Works very quickly
What are the disadvantages of using behavioural therapy to treat phobias?
- Ethical issues as it can be traumatic
- Only treats symptoms but not the cause
