Behavioural Approach to Explaining Phobias

Question 1

Behavioural Approach

Answer 1

A way of explaining behaviour in terms of what is observable and in terms of learning

Question 2

Mowrer

Answer 2

Proposed 2 process model based on behavioural approach to phobias. States phobias are learnt in the 1st place by classical conditioning and then continue due to operant conditioning.

Question 3

Acquisition by Classical Conditioning (Watson & Rayner)

Answer 3

Involves learning to associate something of which we initially have no fear (NS) with something that already triggers a fear response (UCS). Created a phobia: LITTLE ALBERT in a 9 month old. No fear towards white rat initially but afterwards when the baby got close to rat the researchers would bang an iron bar close to their ear. Noise is UCS which creates UCR of fear. When rat (NS) and UCS are together, then NS becomes associate with UCS and now both produce fear response. Rat becomes CS which produces CR. Conditioning then generalised to other similar things: fur coat. Little Albert became scared of all.

Question 4

Maintenance by Operant Conditioning

Answer 4

Responses acquired by CC usually tend to decline over time. However phobias are long lasting. OC takes place when behaviour is rewarded or punished. +ve & -ve reinforcement tends to increase frequency of behaviour. -ve reinforcement: individual avoids situation that is unpleasant. Such behaviour results in a desirable consequence which means behaviour will be repeated. Whenever we avoid a phobic stimulus we successfully escape fear that we would have suffered if we had remained there. Reduction in fear reinforces avoidance behaviour and so phobia is maintained.

Question 5

Strength

Answer 5

Good explanatory power. Explained how phobias could be maintained over time and had important implications for therapies as it explains why patients need to be exposed to feared stimulus. Once patient is stopped from practising their avoidance behaviour the behaviour ceases to be reinforced and so declines.

Question 6

Weakness

Answer 6

Not all avoidance behaviour associated with phobias seem to be the result of anxiety reduction like agoraphobia. Some avoidance behaviour is motivated more by the positive feelings of safety: not leaving house is not to avoid phobic stimulus but more to be safe. Problem as two process model only suggests that avoidance is motivated by anxiety reduction.

Question 7

Weakness

Answer 7

Incomplete explanation of phobias. Evolutionary factors might have an important role in phobias as well. We acquire phobias of things that have been a source of danger in our evolutionary past. Biological preparedness: innate predisposition to acquire certain fears. Rare to develop fear of guns which are more dangerous than spiders because they existed recently and we aren’t biologically prepared to learn fear responses towards them. Problem as 2 process model only talks about simple conditioning.

Question 8

Weakness

Answer 8

Phobias that don’t follow trauma. Sometimes people develop phobia without knowing how it came: have a fear of something without meeting one.

Question 9

Weakness

Answer 9

Cognitive aspects? Only talks about behavioural aspects.