Topic 4- Behavioural Approach To Explaining Phobias

Question 1

PEEL 1
Specific event leading to phobia

Answer 1

P- The two-process model is supported by research asking people about their phobias.
E- Sue found that people can recall a specific event to when their phobia developed.
E- E.G she found that agoraphobics are likely to explain their phobia in terms of a specific event.
L- Showing that classical conditioning can be involved in developing phobias.

Question 2

PEEL 2
Two-process model

Answer 2

P- One limitation of the two-process model is that it doesn’t explain the development of all phobias.
E- Some people can’t remember an incident leading to their phobia.
E- Suggesting different phobias may be the result of different processes.
L- However, OST says it’s possible a traumatic event happened, but phobic has forgotten it.

Question 3

PEEL 3
Die in lift

Answer 3

P- A problem can be that phobias have cognitive aspects that can’t be explained in a traditionally behaviourist framework.
E- E.G A person trapped in a lift may think they’ll die in there so this could trigger a phobias of lifts.
E- Showing irrational thinking is involved in phobias developing.
L- This could explain why cognitive therapies can be more successful when treating phobias than behavioural treatments.