PSYCHOPATHOLOGY - the behavioural approach to explaining phobias

Question 1

who made the two process model?

Answer 1

Mowrer (1960)

Question 2

what is the two process model?

Answer 2

• states that phobias are acquired by classical conditioning and then continue to be maintained by operant conditioning.

Question 3

explain acquisition by classical conditioning.

Answer 3

• associate something we have no fear of (NS) with something that already triggers a fear response(UCS)

Question 4

who conducted the little Albert study?

Answer 4

Watson and Rayner (1920)

Question 5

briefly explain the little Albert study?

Answer 5

• phobia created in 9 month baby Albert
  1. white rat (NS) = no response
  2. noise (UCS) = cry (UCR)
  3. white rat (NS) + loud noise (UCS) = cry (UCR)
  4. white rat (CS) = cry (CR)

rat is now a conditioned stimulus
- conditioning generalised to similar objects ( fur coat etc.) = little Albert displayed distress.

Question 6

explain maintenance by operant conditioning.

Answer 6

• reinforcement tends to increase the behaviour being repeated again
• in the case of phobia - the person is negatively reinforced as they avoid the situation that is unpleasant.
• such behaviour results in a desirable consequence, which means the behaviour will be repeated.
• the reduction in fear when avoiding the behaviour maintains the phobia.

Question 7

Give strengths of the two process model.

Answer 7

+ RWA in exposure therapies (SD flooding)
it is important in explaining why people with phobias benefit from being exposed to the phobic stimulus.
Once avoidance behaviour is prevented it will not be reinforced = shows value of 2 process model as it identifies a means of treating phobias.

+ 2 process model is evidence for link between bad experiences and phobias
eg little Albert study shows how a frightening experience involving a stimulus can lead to a phobia of that stimulus.
This confirms that the association between stimulus and UCR does lead to the development of phobia.

Question 8

Give limitations of the two process model

Answer 8

• does not account for the cognitive aspects of phobia
  we know that phobia is not just avoidant behaviour and that it could also be people holding irrational beliefs about the phobic stimulus.
  This means that the 2 process model does not completely explain the symptoms of phobia.
• not all phobias follow bad experience
  eg some people who live in an area with few snakes may have a fear of snakes since they have never encountered one rather than having a traumatic experience.

This means association between phobias and frightening experiences is not strong.