The behavioural approach to explaining phobias

Question 1

Mowrer proposed the two process model based on the behavioural approach to phobias, what does the model state

Answer 1

• that phobias are learnt through classical conditioning and continued because of operant condition

Question 2

How may classical conditioning cause an individual to acquire a phobia

Answer 2

• through associating a neutral stimulus with an unconditional stimulus (something that already triggers a fear response)

Question 3

Which study best shows evidence towards the theory that a phobia can be learnt, once identified outline the study

Answer 3

• Watson and Rayner’s study
• created a phobia in a 9 month old baby
• ‘little Albert’ played with a white rat when shown it
• however whenever the rate was presented to Albert it was accompanied by a loud noise
• this caused ‘little Albert’ to associate the white rat (neutral stimulus) to a loud noise (unconditioned stimulus)
• The white rat is now a conditioned stimulus that produces a conditioned response
• When they tried to show Albert other furry objects he was still scared showing that this phobia was generalised to similar objects

Question 4

How may operant conditioning cause an individual to maintain a phobia

Answer 4

• Mowrer suggested that whenever we avoid a phobic stimulus, anxiety declines and so it negatively reinforces the behaviour of avoidance and so the phobia is reinforced as their fear is never dealt with

Question 5

What is a strength of the two process model

Answer 5

• served as a definite step forward in 1960 as it went beyond Watson and Rayner’s concept of classical conditioning
• explained how phobias can be acquired and maintained
• the application to therapy is also a strength as it has real life application

Question 6

What is a limitation of this explanation

Answer 6

• it is an incomplete explanation of phobias
• Bounton, evolutionary factors probably have a huge factor to play in this explantion but it is ever brought up in the theory
• Seligman called this biological preparedness (innate predisposition to acquire certain dangerous fears)
• it is rare to acquire a phobia of cars or guns which are more dangerous that snakes, spiders, presumably this is because guns and cars have only existed very recently
• shows there is more to acquiring a phobia than simple conditioning