The behavioural approach to explaining phobias

Question 1

What is the two-process model?

Answer 1

Phobias acquired by classical conditioning
Maintaned by operant conditioning
Proposed by Mower.

Question 2

Describe the experiment done by Watson and Rayner on the 9-month-old baby (Little Albert) - Acquisition by classical conditioing.

Answer 2

Watson and Rayner created a phobia in a baby called ‘Little Albert’.
Little Albert played with a white rat (NS).
Researchers meade loud frightening noise by banging an iron bar. Noise is UCS
UCR- Fear
When NS and UCS encountered together, NS becomes associated with USC.
Both create fear response.
White rat becomes CS that creates fear response - CR.
It was generalised to simialr objects: Furry objects - non white rabbit, fur coat santa clause beard made from cotten balls.
Albert showed fear at all of these

Question 3

Describe Mowrer explaination of maintanence by operant conditioning of Phobias.

Answer 3

Operant conditioing takes place when our behaviour is reinforced(rewarded) or punished.
Negative reinforcement (in relation to phobias) - Behaviour is strengthened because an unpleasent outcome is avoided.
For example someone with a phobia of dogs
Sees dog whilst out walking.
Avoid dog by crossing the street.
Avoidance reduces persons feelings of anxiety
Negatively reinforces behavioir
More likely to repeat behaviour (avoidance) again.

Question 4

What are the evaluations of the two-process model?

Answer 4

Evidence for a link between traumatic experiences and phobias.
(counterpoint) Not all phobias are the result of trauma.
Two-process model ignores cognitive aspects of phobias.
Real world application in exposure therapies.

Question 5

Evaluation: Two-process model ignores cognitive aspects of phobias.

Answer 5

Limitation: Two-process model ignores cognitive aspects of phobias.
The two-process model only accounts for avoidance behavior, not the cogntive symptoms
(Such as irrational beliefs and cognitive distortions)
about the phobic stimulus.
For example with Arachnophobia may think spiders are dangerous.
Means that alternative models may be necessary to fully comprehend these complex disorders.
Therefore two-process model does not completely explain the symptoms of phobias.

Question 6

Evaluation: Real world application in exposure therapies.

Answer 6

Strength: Real world application in exposure therapies.
Two process model - phobias are maintained by avoidance of the phobic stimulus.
By emphasizing the role of avoidance in maintaining phobias, the model explains why exposure to the phobic stimulus can help.
When avoidance is no longer reinforced by anxiety reduction, exposure therapy can decrease avoidance behavior and ultimately cure the phobia.
Identifies ways of treating the phobia.

Question 7

Evaluation: Evidence for a link between traumatic experiences and phobias.

Answer 7

Studies like the Little Albert experiment demonstrate that frightening experiences with a stimulus can cause a phobia of that stimulus.
Moreover, Ad De Jongh et al.’s (2006) research revealed that a notable percentage of individuals with a fear of dental treatment had undergone traumatic experiences, mostly related to dentistry or violent crime victimization.
Shows how stimulus and a UCR does lead to the devlopment of phobias.

Question 8

Evaluation: (counterpoint) Not all phobias are the result of trauma.

Answer 8

(counterpoint) Not all phobias are the result of trauma.
For example common phobias - snake phobias.
They can manifest in populations with little to no exposure to snakes - so they havent had any traumatic experience with them.
Means that association between phobias and traumatic experiences is not strong as sugguested by the two-process model.