explaining phobias

Question 1

how do we explain phobias?

Answer 1

behavourist approach
two process model

Question 2

what did Hobart Mowar propose?

Answer 2

the two process model
phobias are accquired by classical conditioning
phobias are maintained through operant conditioning (negative reinforcement)

Question 3

Supporting evidenced for the behaviourist explanation of phobias

Answer 3

Waston and Raynor (1920)
(Little Albert)
He was given a range of different objects to see his reaction to them, one of them was a white right Albert didnt display any signs of fear.

A few months later when he was presented with the white rat again and he reached out Watson and Raynor struck a loud noise behind him

Albert cried and moved away from the white rats, they repeated this pairing numerous times eventually Alber learnt to associate the rat with the unpleasant noise and would turn away and cry when the white rat was shown to him
The white rat became a conditioned stimulus and produced a conditioned resposne

Question 4

evaluating the behavourist approach as an explanation for phobia :D

Answer 4

• This explanation can be praised due to its positive contribution to practical application in being able to treat phobias

eg - systematic desensitation
- it uses the same classical conditoning (counter conditioning ) approach to associate the feared stimulus with relaxation techniques

Question 5

random
what are some relaxation techniques for systematic desensitasation

Answer 5

• deep breathing exercises
• visualisation of pleasant scene

Question 6

what is meant by reciprocal inhibition

Answer 6

This suggests that it is impossible to hold two opposite emotions, relaxation is incompataible with dear

Question 7

evaluating the behavourist approach as an explanation for phobia (2) :)

Answer 7

• the behavourist approach allow clear prediction to be made that can be measured scientifically , falsifabiable model which adds to its reliability of the theory

Question 8

evaluating the behavourist approach as an explanation for phobia (3) :(

Answer 8

the two process model for the behavourist approach states that ALL phobias are learnt , it doesn’t take into account biological factors

Martin Seligman proposed the idea of biological preparedness
which is an increased likelihood of developing phobias because of a specific variation in our DNA which predisposes us to this fear.

The behaviourist explanation alone cannot account for the acquistion of all phobias, it is therefore more complex 0 biological preparedness, inheritable

Question 9

ISSUE AND DEBATE evaluating the behavourist approach as an explanation for phobia :( (4)

Answer 9

Behaviour method is reductionist seeing behaviour as purely a result of conditoning , reducing the explanation to simple terms limits the explanaiton as phobias explanation can be more complex - cognitive (irrational thoughts) , biological perhaps an interaction of a more hollistic view including other explanations may be a more valid explanation of phobia accquisition