the behaviour approach to explaining phobias

Question 1

Two process model

Answer 1

Mowrer proposed the two way model based on the behavioural approach to phobias. stating that phobias are acquired ( learned) by classical conditioning and continue because of operant conditioning

Question 2

Acquisition by classical conditioning

Answer 2

CC involves learning to associate something which we initially have no fear (neutral stimulus) with something that already triggers a fear response (unconditioned stimulus)

Watson and Rayner - created a phobia in a 9 month old baby - ‘little albert’ - he showed no sign of anxiety at start of study.

when shown a white rat, he tried to play w it.

When the rat was presented to LA, researchers made a loud frightening noise by banging an iron bar close to his ear.

Noise (US) creates an unconditioned response of fear. The rat (NS) and unconditioned stimulus (noise) are paired the NS becomes associated with the UCS which now both produce a fear response .

Albert was fearful when he saw the rat. rat is now a conditioned stimulus that produces conditioned response

Conditioning is generalised to other objects - such as furry white objects which he displayed fear to all.

Question 3

maintenance by operant conditioning

Answer 3

responses acquired by classical conditioning tend to decline over time. Phobias are long lasting

Mowrer explained this as result of operant conditioning

OC takes place when behaviours are reinforced or punished

Reinforcement tends to increase the frequency of behaviour - true for negative and positive.

with negative R, the person avoids that situation as it is unpleasant.

Mowrer suggests that when we avoid a phobic stimulus, we escape the fear and anxiety that we would have experienced.

the reduction in fear reinforces avoidance behaviour so the phobia is maintained

Question 4

real world application strength

Answer 4

strength of 2 process model is its real world application in exposure therapies.

distinctive element of 2 process model is idea that phobias are maintained by avoidance of phobic stimulus.

important in explaining why people with phobias benefit from being exposed to the phobic stimulus.

once avoidance behaviour is prevented it ceases to be reinforced by the experience of anxiety reduction and avoidance therefore declines.

in behavioural terms - phobia is the avoidance behaviour so when avoidance is prevented the phobia is cured.

shows value of 2 process approach as it identified a means of treating phobias.

Question 5

cog aspects of phobias - limit

Answer 5

a limit of 2 process model is it does not account for cog aspects of phobias

behavioural explanations including 2 process model are geared to explain behaviour.

with phobias, the key behaviour is avoidance of phobic stimulus.

BUT we know that phobias are not simply avoidance responses - also have significant cognitive component.

e.g. people with irrational beliefs about he phobic stimulus.

2 process model explains that avoidance behaviour but not an explanation for phobic cognitions

this means the two process model does not completely explain the symptoms of phobias

Question 6

phobias and traumatic experiences.

Answer 6

strength of 2 process model is evidence for link between bad experience and phobias.

little albert study showed how a scary experience involving a stimulus can lead to a phobia of that stimulus.

more systematic evidence comes from study by Jongh - found that 73% of people with fear of dental treatment had experienced a traumatic experience - mostly with dentistry

this can be compared to the control group of people with low dental anxiety - only 21% had experienced a traumatic event

this confirms that the association between stimulus and unconditioned response does lead to development of the phobia

Question 7

counterpoint

Answer 7

not all phobias come from a bad experience.

also not all scary experiences lead to phobias

means the association between phobias and frightening experiences is not as strong as we would expect if behavioural theories provided a complete explanation

Question 8

learning and evolution

Answer 8

behavioural models of phobias e.g. 2 process model give credible individuals explanations - can explain how a particular person develops and maintains a phobia

but there are more general aspects to phobias that may be better explained by evolutionary theory.

e.g. tend to acquire phobias of things which present danger in evolutionary past

• this is called preparedness