4. The Behavioural Approach to Phobias

Question 1

Behaviourist approach on phobias

Answer 1

Argue that phobias are learnt in the same way that all behaviours are learnt - through classical & operant conditioning.

Question 2

What is Classical conditioning

Answer 2

• In Classical conditioning a natural reflex is produced to a previously neutral stimulus - phobias can be created when the natural fear response becomes associated w a particular stimulus.
• Phobias can generalise to similar stimuli. For eg, Wa

Question 3

See pg48 for diagram of stimulus –> response

Answer 3

UNS –> UCR (reflex)
UCS + CS –> UCR
CS –> CR

Question 4

What is Operant conditioning

Answer 4

• Learning from the consequences of actions.
• Actions which have a good outcome through positive reinforcement (reward) or negative reinforcement (removal of smth bad) will be repeated.
• Actions which have a bad outcome (punishment) will not be repeated.
• Operant conditioning is important in MAINTAINING phobias.

Question 5

When was the two-process model proposed

Answer 5

By Mowrer in 1947

Question 6

What does Mowrer’s two-process model explain

Answer 6

Explains how classical & operant conditioning produce & maintain phobias.

Question 7

What does Mowrer’s two-process model state

Answer 7

• Ppl develop phobias (usually specific phobias) by classical conditioning - a CS is paired with an UCS to produce the CR.
• Once somebody has developed a phobia, it’s maintained through operant conditioning - ppl get anxious around the phobic stimulus & avoid it. This prevents the anxiety, which acts as negative reinforcement

Question 8

How can Operant conditioning explain development of social phobia & agoraphobia

Answer 8

Operant conditioning can also explain how social phobias & agoraphobia develop from a specific phobia - ppl are anxious that theyll experience a panic attack in a social situation or an open place (bc of their specific phobia), so they avoid these situations.

Question 9

STRENGTHS of the Behavioural explanation of phobias

Answer 9

1. Barlow & Durand (1995) showed that in cases of individuals w a severe fear of driving, 50% had acc been involved in road accident. Through classical conditioning, the road accident (UCS) had turned into a CS for those now w the phobia.
2. Behavioural therapies are very effective at treating phobias by getting person to change their response to the stimulus. Suggesting that they treat the CAUSE of the problem.

Question 10

WEAKNESSES of the Behavioural explanation of phobias

Answer 10

1. Davey (1992) found that only 7% of spider phobics recalled having a traumatic experience w a spider.
2. This suggests there could be other explanations (eg. biological factors).
   (HOWEVER, just bc they couldn’t remember the experience doesnt mean it didn’t happen).

Question 11

How can phobias be treated

Answer 11

Behavioural therapies

Question 12

What is Behavioural therapy

Answer 12

Behavioural treatment for phobias is based on classical conditioning - there are 2 techniques:
- Systematic desensitisation
- Flooding

Question 13

Behavioural therapy: Systematic desensitisation

Answer 13

1. Works by using counter-conditioning so that patient learns to associate the phobic stimulus w relaxation rather than fear.
2. First, patient makes a ‘fear hierarchy’ - list of feared events in order from least (seeing pic of spider) to most (holding spider) feared.
3. Then taught relaxation techniques like deep breathing.
4. Patient then imagines (or experience irl) the anxiety-provoking situations, starting w least stressful. Theyre encouraged to use the relaxation techniques. Process stops if they feel anxious.
5. Relaxation & anxiety cant occur at same time (reciprocal inhibition), so when they become relaxed, theyre no longer scared. Repeated until feared event is only linked w relaxation.
6. Whole process repeated for each stage of fear hierarchy, until theyre calm through their MOST feared event.

Question 14

Behavioural therapy: Flooding

Answer 14

1. This involves exposing patient to the phobic stimulus straight away, w/o any relaxation or gradual build-up. Can be done irl, or patient can be asked to visualise.
2. Patient is kept in this situation until the anxiety they initially feel has worn off. They realise that nothing bad has happened to them in this time, & their fear should be extinguished.

Question 15

ADVANTAGES of Behavioural therapy

Answer 15

1. Very effective for treating specific phobias. Zinbarg et al (1992) found that systematic desensitisation was the most effective of currently known methods for treating phobias.
2. Works very quickly, Ost et al (1991) found anxiety was reduced in 90% of patients w a specific phobia after just 1 session of therapy.

Question 16

DISADVANTAGES of Behavioural therapy

Answer 16

1. Ethical issues - esp flooding, as it causes patients lots of anxiety. If patients drop out of the therapy before fear has been extinguished, then it can end up causing MORE anxiety than before therapy.
2. Only treats symptoms of the disorder. Other therapies try to tackle the cause of it (eg. CBT).

Question 17

Evaluation of systematic desensitisation: DIVERSE

Answer 17

Suitable for a diverse range if phobias
- Some ppl w anxiety disorders, also have learning disabilities.
- It can be difficult for some to understand other therapies sa flooding or CBT that require the ability to reflect on what you are thinking.
- May be the most appropriate therapy for these ppl.

Question 18

Evaluation of systematic desensitisation: ACCEPTABLE

Answer 18

Its acceptable to patients
- Patients prefer systematic desensitisation as it is not as traumatic as flooding (exposure therapy). It also includes some elements which are pleasant - relaxation.
- Reflected in low refusal rates & low attrition rates (high attainment rate, ppl dont drop out as much as flooding),