Behavioural approach to explaining phobias Flashcards
(9 cards)
What is the behavioural approach?
A way of explaining behaviour in terms of what is observable and in terms of learning
What did Mowrer promise?
The two process model
Phobias are acquired by classical conditioning and then continue because of operant conditioning
What is classical conditioning in context of phobias?
Learning to associate something of which we initially have no fear (neutral stimulus) with something that already triggers a fear response (unconditioned stimulus)
What did Watson and Rayner study?
Little Albert
No initial anxiety
Shown white rat - tried to play with it
Set out to give Albert phobia
When rat presented - loud, frightening noise, banging iron bar close to Albert ear.
Noise - unconditioned stimulus
Creates fear - unconditioned response
Rat - Neutral stimulus
Neutral stimulus becomes associated with unconditioned stimulus and both produce fear response
He displayed fear when saw rat
Rat - Conditioned stimulus
Producing - conditioned response
Generalised to similar objects
Showed furry objects - displayed distress when at sight of objects similar
How did Mowrer explain maintenance by operant conditioning of phobias?
Behaviour is reinforced or punished
Reinforcing leads to increased frequency of behaviour
Negative reinforcement - individual avoids situation that is unpleasant
Leading to desirable consequence which means behaviour repeated
When we avoid phobic stimulus we successfully escape the fear and anxiety we would have experienced if we remained there.
Reduction of fear reinforces the avoidance behaviour and so phobia is maintained
What is an evaluation of the two step process model?
Real world application
Exposure therapies
Important in explaining why people with phobias benefit from being exposed to phobic stimulus
One avoidance behaviour is prevented it ceases to be reinforced
Anxiety reduction and avoidance declines
Showing value of two process approach because it identifies a means of treating phobias
What is an evaluation of the two step process model?
Cognitive aspects of phobias
Does not account for cognitive aspects of phobias
Geared towards explaining behaviour
Phobias are not simply avoidance responses
Significant cognitive component
Does not offer an adequate explanation for phobic cognitions
Meaning two process model does not completely explain the symptoms of phobias
What is an evaluation of the two step process model?
Phobias and traumatic experiences
Link between bad experiences and phobias
Ad De Jongh et al
73% of people with a fear of dental treatment experienced a traumatic experience involving dentistry
Compared to control group - 21% had experienced traumatic event
Confirming association between stimulus and an unconditioned response does lead to the development of the phobia
What is an evaluation of the two step process model?
Counterpoint to phobias and traumatic experiences
Not all phobias appear following a bad experience
Common phobias like snakes
Occur in populations where few people have any experience of snakes let alone traumatic experiences
Not all frightening experiences lead to phobias
Meaning association between phobias and frightening experiences is not as strong as we would expect if behavioural theories provided a complete explanation
