The behavioural approach to explaining phobias

Question 1

Which psychological approach is used to explain phobias?

Answer 1

The behavioural approach is used to explain phobias.

Question 2

What is the behavioural approach?

Answer 2

The behavioural approach is a way of explaining behaviour in terms of what is observable and in terms of learning.

Question 3

Which characteristics of phobias can be explained using the behavioural approach?

Answer 3

Behavioural characteristics of phobias, such as avoidance, endurance and panic, can be explained using the behavioural approach.

Question 4

In the 1960s, who proposed the two-process model?

Answer 4

Hobart Mowrer proposed the two-process model

Question 5

Mowrer proposed the two-process model. What is this model based upon?

Answer 5

The two-process model is based on the behavioural approach to phobias.

Question 6

How does the two-process model attempt to explain phobias?

Answer 6

The two-process model states that phobias are acquired by classical conditioning and then continue because of operant conditioning.

Question 7

The two-process model is divided into two parts. Which two components is this model composed of?

Answer 7

• Classical conditioning

- Operant conditioning

Question 8

According to the two-process model, how are phobias formed?

Answer 8

According to the two-process model, phobias are acquired through classical conditioning.

Question 9

According to the two-process model, how are phobias maintained?

Answer 9

According to the two-process model, phobias are maintained through operant conditioning.

Question 10

Phobias are acquired through classical conditioning. What is classical conditioning?

Answer 10

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).

Question 11

In 1920, Watson and Rayner demonstrated how classical conditioning could be used form a phobia. In detail, outline their study.

Answer 11

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.

Question 12

What did Watson and Rayner aim to achieve?

Answer 12

Watson and Rayner aimed to create a phobia in a 9-month-old baby called ‘Little Albert’.

Question 13

When initially presented with the white rat, did Albert display any sign of anxiety?

Answer 13

Albert showed no unusual anxiety at the start of the study. This was evident in the fact that he played with the rat.

Question 14

How did Watson and Rayner generate the loud noise?

Answer 14

The loud noise was created by banging an iron bar close to Albert’s ear.

Question 15

Prior to conditioning, what was the unconditioned stimulus and the unconditioned response?

Answer 15

The noise was the unconditioned stimulus (UCS). This created an unconditioned response of fear.

Question 16

How did Watson and Rayner condition Albert to be frightened of the rat?

Answer 16

When the rat (a neutral stimulus) and the unconditioned stimulus (the noise) were encountered together, the neutral stimulus became associated with the unconditioned stimulus. As a result they both produced a fear response.

Question 17

After conditioning had taken place, what was the conditioned stimulus and the conditioned response?

Answer 17

The rat became the conditioned stimulus and the fear became the conditioned response.

Question 18

Phobias are maintained through operant conditioning. What is operant conditioning?

Answer 18

Operant conditioning is a form of learning in which behaviour is shaped and maintained by its consequences. Possible consequences of behaviour include positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement or punishment.

Question 19

Which two consequences of behaviour increase the frequency of a behaviour?

Answer 19

Positive and negative reinforcement both increase the likelihood of a behaviour being repeated.

Question 20

How can negative reinforcement be used to explain why an individual continues to avoid a phobic stimulus?

Answer 20

In the case of negative reinforcement an individual avoids a situation that is unpleasant. Such a behaviour results in a desirable consequence, which means the behaviour will be repeated. Mowrer suggested that whenever we avoid a phobic stimulus we successfully escape the fear and anxiety that we would have suffered if we had remained there. This reduction in fear reinforces the avoidance behaviour and so the phobia is maintained. Phobias are therefore maintained through avoidance behaviour.

Question 21

Why is operant conditioning so important?

Answer 21

Operant conditioning is important because responses acquired by classical conditioning usually decline over time. For phobias to be long lasting, they have to be maintained through operant conditioning.