Developing Interventions

Question 1

Two-factor theory of phobias

Answer 1

Mowrer, 1947

Behavioural explanation

Classical conditioning (development of phobias)

• conditioned emotional response

Operant conditioning (maintenance of phobias)

• safety behaviours

Question 2

Systematic desensitisation & flooding

Answer 2

reconditioning/deconditioning (habituation) through exposure

Question 3

Problems for behavioural explanations

Answer 3

• many unable to identify a conditioning event
• many common phobias are for relatively benign stimuli that are rarely, if ever, encounted by most people e.g. snakes
• rates of phobias to frequently encountered and potentially frightening stimuli are low e.g. cars​
  
  • Seligman - Preparedness - evolutionary advantage? No conditioning needed