The behavioural approach to explaining phobias Flashcards
Which psychological approach is used to explain phobias?
The behavioural approach is used to explain phobias.
What is the behavioural approach?
The behavioural approach is a way of explaining behaviour in terms of what is observable and in terms of learning.
Which characteristics of phobias can be explained using the behavioural approach?
Behavioural characteristics of phobias, such as avoidance, endurance and panic, can be explained using the behavioural approach.
In the 1960s, who proposed the two-process model?
Hobart Mowrer proposed the two-process model
Mowrer proposed the two-process model. What is this model based upon?
The two-process model is based on the behavioural approach to phobias.
How does the two-process model attempt to explain phobias?
The two-process model states that phobias are acquired by classical conditioning and then continue because of operant conditioning.
The two-process model is divided into two parts. Which two components is this model composed of?
- Classical conditioning
- Operant conditioning
According to the two-process model, how are phobias formed?
According to the two-process model, phobias are acquired through classical conditioning.
According to the two-process model, how are phobias maintained?
According to the two-process model, phobias are maintained through operant conditioning.
Phobias are acquired through classical conditioning. What is classical conditioning?
Classical conditioning involves learning to associate something of which we initially have no fear (a neutral stimulus) with something that already triggered a fear response (an unconditioned stimulus).
In 1920, Watson and Rayner demonstrated how classical conditioning could be used form a phobia. In detail, outline their study.
Watson and Rayner created a phobia in a 9-month-old baby called ‘Little Albert’. Albert showed no unusual anxiety at the start of the study. When shown a white rat he tried to play with it. However, the experimenters then set out to give Albert a phobia. Whenever the rat was presented they made a loud, frightening noise by banging an iron bar close to Albert’s ear. When the rat and the loud noise were presented together, a fear response was generated, resulting in Albert becoming frightened when he saw the rat. This conditioning them generalised to similar objects. They tested Albert by showing him other furry objects such as a fur coat. Little Albert displayed distress at the sight of these objects.
What did Watson and Rayner aim to achieve?
Watson and Rayner aimed to create a phobia in a 9-month-old baby called ‘Little Albert’.
When initially presented with the white rat, did Albert display any sign of anxiety?
Albert showed no unusual anxiety at the start of the study. This was evident in the fact that he played with the rat.
How did Watson and Rayner generate the loud noise?
The loud noise was created by banging an iron bar close to Albert’s ear.
Prior to conditioning, what was the unconditioned stimulus and the unconditioned response?
The noise was the unconditioned stimulus (UCS). This created an unconditioned response of fear.