the behavioural approach - explaining and treating phobias Flashcards
what did Mower (1947) propose?
The two process model - poses that it is the combination of Classical conditioning and operant conditioning that cause phobias. Classical conditioning first followed by operant conditioning.
how can we learn a phobia through classical conditioning?
A phobia is learned through the association of two unrelated stimuli. An unconditioned stimulus will produce an unconditioned response. A conditioned stimulus is paired with the unconditioned stimulus and this produces the unconditioned response. Eventually the conditioned stimulus alone will produce the desired response, which is now called the conditioned response. Therefore, we learn abnormal behaviours through conditioning e.g. phobias are learnt through association. An example phobia of lifts may be initiated as follows:
Being trapped = Fear
Lift + Being trapped = Fear
Lift = Fear
how can we learn a phobia through operant conditioning?
This has been demonstrated on many different animals, particularly by Skinner (1974), and has been shown to cause their behaviour. If a dog knows that for doing a behaviour that it will receive a reward, it will be more likely to reproduce the behaviour. Therefore, we learnt through reward and punishment. Phobias are mainly maintained through negative reinforcement however can be maintained through other forms of operant conditioning. With negative reinforcement, through avoiding the phobic item, this removes the fear response and therefore they are more likely to repeat this behaviour. An example phobia of lifts might be maintained as follows:
- Being near a lift produces fear.
- Moving away from and avoiding lift removes the fear.
- Therefore, through negative reinforcement, we are encouraged to repeat the behaviour and avoid lifts.
who researched into conditioning causing and maintaining phobias?
Watson and Rayner (1920)
Outline Watson and Rayner’s (1920) research
Little Albert was a 9-month-old infant who was tested on his reactions to various stimuli. He was shown a white rat, a rabbit, a monkey and various masks. Albert described as “on the whole stolid and unemotional” showed no fear of any of these stimuli. However, what did startle him and cause him to be afraid was if a hammer was struck against a steel bar behind his head. The sudden loud noise would cause “little Albert to burst into tears. When “Little Albert” was just over 11 months old the white rat was presented and seconds later the hammer was struck against the steel bar. This was done 7 times over the next 7 weeks and each time “little Albert” burst into tears. By now “little Albert only had to see the rat and he immediately showed every sign of fear. He would cry (whether or not the hammer was hit against the steel bar) and he would attempt to crawl away.
what roles do classical and operant conditioning play in developing and maintaining phobias?
we develop a phobia through classical conditioning, and maintain it through operant conditioning
strengths of the two - process model
*The behaviourist explanation has led to some very successful therapies (systematic desensitization) which has been shown to be extremely successful in the treatment of phobias. Therefore, if the treatment is successful, the explanation must have merit.
*Support from Watson and Rayner (1920) (Little Albert) demonstrates how classical conditioning can the cause of a phobia as Little Albert learned to associate two items that would not be normally associated causing him to later be phobic of white rats.
limitations of the two process model
*It ignores the role of biology and evolution there is plenty of evidence to support a genetic transmission of some disorders. For example, we are born with an innate fear of any object or situation that can cause us harm however, this explanation cannot explain innate phobias and only ones that are learnt from the environment.
*It is known that a phobia is an irrational fear however, this approach ignores all cognitive factors that make the fear irrational and this may be an important part of the process in its cause or treatment.
*The theory suggests that exposure to stimuli and an environment will cause a phobia however, it cannot explain why people do not get phobia when exposed to these stimuli.
what two treatments for phobias does the learning theory suggest?
systematic desensitisation and flooding
what is meant by systematic desensitisation?
This is the slow process of the patient learning to associate the phobic item with relaxation rather than fear. This technique uses the following ideas:
*Counterconditioning - This is defined as classical conditioning where the association of relaxation is taught to replace fear with the phobic object.
*Relaxation techniques - This can involve deep breathing to regain control of anxious tendencies progressing towards complete muscle relaxation. It can also involve focusing/visualising a peaceful scene/progressive muscle relaxation/using anti-anxiety drugs.
*Desensitisation hierarchy - This is a list designed by the therapist and client into an order of least feared to most feared situations.
how does a desensitisation hierarchy work?
the patient is taught to construct a desensitisation hierarchy where they rank their fears from least fearful to most fearful situation. The patient then is taught relaxation techniques such as deep breathing. After this, the patient is then exposed to their least fearful point of the hierarchy and uses counterconditioning to classically condition relaxation with their phobic item rather than dear. Once they feel comfortable as this level of the hierarchy, the progress to the next level. Once they have completed all levels of their desensitisation hierarchy, they are cured of their phobia.
how can systematic desensitisation be broken down?
- Patient is taught to deeply relax
- Construction of desensitisation hierarchy
- Participant gradually works though fearful hierarchy using relaxation technique to counter fear
- Once they master a step, they move up to the next step of the hierarchy
- Once they have mastered them all, the phobia is cured.
what is meant by flooding?
Similar to systematic desensitisation, the participant is exposed to their fear however, they are immediately exposed to their worst fear at the very beginning for a long period of time. This is so that their anxiety of this fear will then reduce and thus having the same effect as systematic desensitisation. They therefore break their classical conditioning as they learn their association of fear with the item is not realistic.
strengths of systematic desensitisation
evidence of effectiveness - Gilroy et al (2003) followed up 42 people who had SD for a spider phobia. at a follow up, SD group were less fearful than a control group. means SD is helpful for people with phobias
useful for those with learning disabilities - does not require understanding or engagement on a cognitive level and is not a traumatic experience
treats root of issue rather than symptoms
limitations of systematic desensitisation
can be time consuming - may take multiple sessions to work through hierarchy
hierarchy may be hard to develop if a participant cannot remember what caused a phobia
