Psychopathology: The behavioural approach for explaining phobias Flashcards
Define classical conditioning?
learning through association.
Define operant conditioning?
learning through reinforcement
What is the two process model?
a theory that explains the two processes that lead to the development of phobias —> begin through classical conditioning and are maintained through operant conditioning.
Who proposed the two process model?
Mowrer (1974)
What is the two process model based on?
The behavioural approach to phobias and states that phobias are learned through classical conditioning and are maintained through operant conditioning.
What is the first process of the two process model?
Initiation through classical conditioning
In classical conditioning learning happens because an association forms between a NS and UCS until the NS becomes the CR.
In the case of a phobia we learn to associate something which we have no fear to (NS) with something that already triggers a fear response (UCS). This fear is then generalised to other similar objects.
What is the research evidence that supports the first stage of the 2 process model?
Little Albert Watson and Rayner (1920)
What was the procedure of Little Albert?
11 month old ‘Little Albert’ had no fear response to white furry objects: a white rabbit, rat and white cotton wool —> they were the NS. Watson and Rayner created a CR to these previously neutral objects. They hit a a steel bar behind Alberts heads to startle him every time
Albert reached out to touch the rat. They repeated this 3 times and did the same a week later.
What were the findings of Little Albert?
After this they showed Albert the furry white rat and other furry white objects and he began to cry . They’d conditioned a fear response to furry white objects in Little Albert.
What is the second process in the two process model?
Maintenance through operant conditioning
Phobias can be negatively reinforced which is where behaviour is strengthened because an unpleasant consequence is removed e.g. if a person with a phobia of dogs sees a dog whilst out walking they might cross the road to avoid it.
Operant conditioning maintains phobia as avoidance of phobia reduces fear which increase the likelihood of repeating avoidance behaviour ( negative reinforcement).
What are the 4 AO3 points for the behavioural approach to treating phobias?
+Objective
+Leads to treatment
-Reductionist
-Phobias don’t always follow a traumatic event
(+AO3) Why is the behavioural approach to treating phobias objective?
The behavioural approach is scientific and it’s key principles can be measured in an objective way e.g. the phobia developed by Little Albert was clear for all to see and measure and variables could be manipulated and controlled to ensure Little Albert’s phobia development was a result of a NS being associated with an UCS. This allows concepts such as classical conditioning to be demonstrated scientifically.
(+AO3) How does the the behavioural approach to treating phobias lead to treatment?
Systematic desensitisation and flooding. Uses counterconditioning to reach new association. Effective as around 75% succeed in overcoming their phobia suggests that the explanation for phobias is mostly correct.
(-AO3) How is the the behavioural approach to treating phobias reductionist?
The two-process model suggests that complex mental disorders such as phobias as caused solely by our experience of association, rewards and punishment. This is an issue when using the behavioural approach to explain phobias as it can be seen as too simplistic as it ignores the role of other factors such as childhood experiences everyday stressors and the role of biology in the development of abnormality.
(-AO3) Phobias don’t always follow a traumatic event, why is this a weakness of the behavioural approach to treating phobias?
Some phobias don’t follow a traumatic experience for example a person may have a fear of snakes without encountering one. This suggests that phobias may have not been acquired through learning, weakening this explanation.
