Explaining Phobias Using Behaviourist Approach Flashcards
(2 cards)
What is the two process model
Classical conditioning- initiation
A phobia is acquired through association of a stimulus with. Response
For example being bitten (ucs) creates fear (ucr)
Now dog (cs) and fear (cr)
Operant conditioning is how phobia is maintained
With negative reinforcement an individual avoids a situation which is unpleasant. Avoiding the phobias stimulus allows the person to escape the fear and anxiety that they would have suffered if they had remained. This reduction in fear reinforces avoidance behaviour and maintains phobia
Evaluation of the two process model
A strength of the behaviourist explanation of phobias is that it can be tested objectively. For example in skinners experiment he paired a lever with food and trained the rat to press lever . This matters as it increases scientific validity of behaviourist explanation. Lab experiment helps us see cause and affect
Practical applications include several therapies which use conditioning to treat phobias. For example systematic desensitisation. Which includes in replacing fear with relaxation. This has shown to be extremely successful for a range of phobias. 75% of phobic patients showed an improvement with this treatment this success strengthens the validity of the behaviourist explanation of phobias.
A disadvantage of this is that its incomplete as it fails to explain the role evolution plays in many peoples fears. For example we are predisposed to phobias such as snakes, spiders, as these things have been a source of danger in the past. This helps explain why people may fear things they have never encountered. Therefore the two process model is too simplistic as it suggests there is more to phobias than conditioning.
Another disadvantage is that its been criticised because it fails to explain the cognitive aspects of a phobia. For example fear of lifts and death. This is a weakness as it fails to explain a vital component of this disorder
