PAPER 1 - PSYCHOPATHOLOGY - behavioural approach to explaining & treating phobias

Question 1

what is the key theory of the behavioural approach to explaining phobias?

Answer 1

2-process model by Mowrer involves classical and operant conditioning

Question 2

what is the 2-process model by Mowrer?

Answer 2

1. acquisition of the phobia - classical conditioning
   - involves learning through association
   - NS paired with UCS - become associated, leads to CR
2. maintenance of the phobia - operant conditioning
   - avoidance of feared object = rewards = negative reinforcement

Question 3

what was the aim of the Little Albert study by Watson and Rayner?

Answer 3

to show how emotional responses can be learned through classical conditioning

Question 4

what was the procedure of the Little Albert study by Watson and Rayner?

Answer 4

• experimental lab study
• 11 month old Albert presented with white rat & was content
• every time white rat was presented, a loud nose was made - 3 times
• repeated this a week later

Question 5

what were the findings of the Little Albert study by Watson and Rayner?

Answer 5

Albert began to cry and was very distressed whenever he was presented with a white rat or any small white fluffy creature

Question 6

what were the findings of the Little Albert study by Watson and Rayner?

Answer 6

Albert began to cry and was very distressed whenever he was presented with a white rat or any small fluffy creature

Question 7

what criticisms can be made from the Little Albert study?

Answer 7

• unethical
• no protection from psychological harm

Question 8

what conclusions can be made from the Little Albert study?

Answer 8

phobias can be acquired through classical conditioning

Question 9

what was the NS, UCS and UCR in the Little Albert study?

Answer 9

• NS - white fluffy objects
• UCS - noise
• UCR - being startled/fear

Question 10

how is the fact that there is research evidence supporting SLT as an explanation, a limitation?

Answer 10

Bandura & Rosenthal - model acted in pain every time buzzer went off, observers showed emotional response to buzzer demonstrating acquired fear response

Question 11

how is the fact that not everyone can relate their phobia to an experience a limitation?

Answer 11

not everyone can relate their phobia to an experience, can be a result of other processes not just classical conditioning, may have forgotten trauma

Question 12

how is the 2-process model considered a limitation?

Answer 12

cognitive factors get overlooked e.g. irrational thinking may cause extreme anxiety and cause a phobia - leads to cognitive therapies

Question 13

how is biological preparedness a limitation?

Answer 13

seligman argued that animals and humans are genetically programmed to rapidly learn association between potentially life threatening stimuli and fear
- ancient fears
- behavioural approach cant explain all phobias

Question 14

why is the diathesis-stress model a limitation of the behaviourist approach?

Answer 14

• explains why not everyone develops a phobia from a negative experience
• proposes that we inherit genetic vulnerability for developing mental disorders, however it only manifests itself if triggered by a life event

Question 15

what are the 2 therapies based on classical conditioning that are used to treat phobias?

Answer 15

systematic desensitisation (SD)
flooding

Question 16

what are the 5 stages in SD?

Answer 16

1. patient learns relaxation techniques
2. constructs a desensitisation hierarchy of fear
3. starts at lowest level and practices relaxation techniques until fully engaged whilst relaxed
4. patient goes to next level and repeats
5. once at highest level of hierarchy & patient can relax with most feared situation, they have achiever counter conditioning

Question 17

what is counter conditioning?

Answer 17

gradual exposure to feared stimuli should break association of stimuli with fear

Question 18

what is reciprocal inhibition?

Answer 18

when someone has learned to control their fears through relaxation

Question 19

what are the strengths of SD?

Answer 19

• found to be successful for range of phobias - 75% respond to SD
• more successful in VIVO than in VITRO of feared stimuli
• faster and cheaper, require less effort for patient
• appropriate for all people including those with learning difficulties

Question 20

what are the limitations of SD?

Answer 20

• not appropriate for phobias with underlying evolutionary survival component but are for phobias related to personal experience
• symptom substitution - symptoms only tip of the iceberg, if symptoms are removed, cause still remains

Question 21

what is flooding?

Answer 21

exposing sufferer to the phobic object/situation for an extended period of time in a safe controlled environment
- prolonged exposure creates new association

Question 22

what are the limitations of flooding?

Answer 22

• not appropriate for all phobias - can increase fear and cant predict when or who this happens to
• only successful if they stay in the situation until they are calm
• evidence for effectiveness is mixed

Question 23

what are the strengths of flooding?

Answer 23

• still in use today
• factors that influence effectiveness have been identified
• greatest benefits of flooding is those with height phobia