the two process model

Question 1

what is the behaviourist approach?

Answer 1

a way of explaining behaviour in terms of what is observed and in terms of learning

Question 2

what did Orval Hobart Mowrer’s 1960 propose about the two-process model?

Answer 2

states that phobias are acquired by classical conditioning and then continue because of operant conditioning

Question 3

what is classical conditioning?

Answer 3

classical conditioning involves learning to associate something of which we initially have no fear (neutral stimulus) with something that triggers a fear response, conditioned stimulus

Question 4

what was the little Alberts study John Watson and rosaline Rayner 1920?

Answer 4

• little Albert showed no unusual anxiety at the start of the study
• when shown a white rat he started to play with it
• whenever the rat has presented to Albert the researcher made a loud noise
• noise is an unconditioned stimulus that creates an unconditioned response of fear
• when a rat, neutral stimulus, and the UCS are encountered close together they produce fear
• the rat is now a conditioned stimulus that produces a conditioned response
• this conditioning then generalises to similar objects such as a fur coat where he displayed distress at the sight of all these

Question 5

what is operant conditioning?

Answer 5

• takes place when our behaviour is reinforced or punished

- reinforcement tends to increase the frequency of a behaviour

Question 6

what is negative reinforcement?

Answer 6

when an individual avoids a situation that is unpleasant

- results in a desirable consequence, therefore behaviour will be repeated

Question 7

what did mower suggest happens when we avoid a phobic stimulus?

Answer 7

• we avoid a phobic stimulus we successfully escape the fear and anxiety that we would have experienced if we had remained there
• the reduction in fear reinforces the avoidance behaviour and so the phobia is maintained