the behaviourist approch to explaining phobias Flashcards
What does the behavioural approach mean?
A way of explaining behaviour in terms of what is observable and in terms of learning.
What does classical conditioning mean?
Learning by association. Occurs when two stimuli are paired together- an unconditional stimulus (UCS) and a new neutral stimulus(NS) . The neutral stimulus produces the same response that was first produced by the unlearned stimulus alone.
What does operant conditioning mean?
A form a learning in which behaviour is shaped and maintained by its consequences, Possible consequences of behaviour include positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement or punishment.
What does the behaviourist approach emphasise?
The behavioural approach emphasises the role of learning in the acquisition of behaviour. The approach focusses on behaviour- what we can see. The behaviourist approach is geared towards explaining the key behavioural aspects of phobias
Who proposed the two process model?
Hobart Mowrer (1960) proposed the two process mode based on the behavioural approach to phobias. This states that phobias are acquires (learned in the first place) by classical conditioning and then continue because of operant conditioning,
What does acquisition by classical conditioning mean?
Classical conditioning involves leaning to associate something of which we initially have no fear (neutral stimulus) with something that already triggers a fear response (known as an unconditional stimulus)
How is Watson and Rayners experiment part of acquisition by classical conditioning?
Watson and Rayner (1920) created a phobia in a 9-month 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. The noise is an unconditioned stimulus (UCS) which creates an unconditioned response (UCR) of fear. When the rat (neutral stimulus) and the unconditioned stimulus are encountered close together in time the NS becomes associated with the UCS and both now produce the fear response- Albert became frightened when he saw a rat. The rat is now a learned or conditioned stimulus (CS) that produces a conditioned response (CR). This conditioning then generalised to similar objects. They tested Albert by showing him other furry objects such as a non white rabbit, fur coat and Watson wearing a white beard. Albert displayed distress at the sight of al these .
What declines over time?
Responses acquired by classical conditioning usually tend to decline over time. However, phobias are often long lasting. Mowrer explained this through operant condition.
When does operant conditioning take place?
Operant conditioning takes place when our behaviour is reinforced (rewarded) or punished. Reinforcement tends to increase the frequency if a behaviour. This is true of both negative and positive reinforcement. 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 successful escape the fear and anxiety that we would’ve suffered if we had remained there. This reduction in fear reinforces the avoidance behaviour and so the phobia is maintained.
How is good explanatory power a strength of two process model?
The two-process model was a definite step forward when it was proposed in 1960 as it went beyond Watson and Rayner’s concept of classical conditioning. It explained how phobias could be maintained over time and this had important implications for therapies because it explains why patients need to be exposed to their feared stimulus. Once a patient is prevented from practicing their avoidance behaviour the behaviour ceases to be reinforced and so declines. The application to therapy is a strength of the two-process model.
How is alternative explanation for avoidance behaviour a limitation?
Not all avoidance behaviour associated with phobias seems to be the result of anxiety reduction, at least in more complex situations like agoraphobia. There is evidence to suggest that at least some avoidance behaviour appears to be motivated more by positive feelings of safety. In other words, the motivating factor in choosing an action like not leaving the house is not so much to avoid the phobic stimulus but to stick with the safety factor. This explains why some patients with agoraphobia are able to leave their house with a trusted person with relatively little anxiety but not alone (Buck, 2010). This is a problem for the two-process model, which suggests that avoidance is motivated by anxiety reduction.
How is an incomplete explanation of phobias a limitation?
Even if we accept that classical and operant conditioning are involved in the development and maintenance of phobias, there are some aspects of phobic behaviour that require further explaining. Bounton (2007) points out, for example, that evolutionary factors probably have an important role in phobias, but the two-factor theory does not mention this. For example, we easily acquire phobias of things that have been a source of danger in our evolutionary past, such as fears of snakes or of the dark. It is adaptive to acquire such fears. Seligman (1971) called this biological preparedness- the innate predisposition to acquire certain fears. However, it is quite rare to develop a fear of cars or guns, which are actually much more dangerous to most of us today than spiders and snakes. Presumably this is because they have only existed very recently and so we are not biologically prepared to learn fear responses towards them. This phenomenon of preparedness is a serious problem for the two-factor theory because it shows there is more to acquiring phobias than simple conditioning.
