the behaviourist approach to explaining phobias Flashcards
outline
The learning approach assumes that people develop phobias because they have learnt them from the environment, usually through classical conditioning and operant conditioning.
Mowrer (1947) proposed the two-process model to explain how phobias are learned.
Phobias are initiated through classical conditioning (learning via association) where a neutral stimulus is paired with an unconditioned response, through repeated presentations, as shown by the Little Albert experiment.
The two-process model proposed that phobias continue due to operant conditioning (learning through reinforcement or punishment).
If we are negatively reinforced (by escaping something unpleasant) we are more likely to repeat that behaviour.
Whereas if we are punished for a behaviour, we are less likely to carry out that behaviour again. In the case of phobias, interaction with the phobic stimulus (e.g., spiders) is punishing because of the anxiety it produces.
Therefore, avoiding the phobic stimulus is negatively reinforcing as it reduces anxiety.
strength
A strength of the model is that it has supporting research from Sue et al who interviewed people with phobias and found many of them attributed the start of their phobia to a specific traumatic event.
This shows classical conditioning, and the role of association is clearly important in the initiation of a phobia.
limit 1
However, the behaviourist explanation is environmentally determinist as it suggests phobias are only caused by external environmental factors such as classical and operant conditioning.
Other psychologists such as Seligman argue that some phobias are genetically predisposed to aid survival e.g., fear of snakes.
This suggests that not all phobias have environmental causes like the behavioural approach suggests, weakening its usefulness.
limit 2
A limitation of the model is that it ignores cognitive aspects of phobias.
This is because these cognitive factors cannot be explained in a traditionally behaviourist framework.
For example, someone who thinks they might die if trapped in a lift might become extremely anxious and may trigger a fear of lifts.
This shows irrational thinking is also involved in the development of phobias.
This would explain why cognitive therapies are more successful in treating phobias compared to behavioural treatments.
limit 3
Another limitation is that it is environmentally reductionist as it inappropriately explains complex behaviours such as phobias at a basic environmental level e.g., through classical and operant conditioning.
Contradicting research from Di Nardo found using questionnaires, not everyone who is bitten by a dog develops a phobia.
This suggests phobias do not always form following a negative experience like the model suggests, weakening its credibility.
