the behavioural approach to explaining phobias

Question 1

who proposed the 2 step model to explain phobias

Answer 1

Mowrer 1960

Question 2

what is the 2 step model to explain phobias

Answer 2

states that phobias are acquired by classical conditioning and then continued due to operant conditioning

Question 3

what does classical conditioning involve

Answer 3

1. learning to associate something we initially have no fear of (neutral stimulus) with something that already triggers a fear response

Question 4

who created a phobia in little albert

Answer 4

Watson and Rayner (1920)

Question 5

how was a phobia created in little albert

Answer 5

• albert showed no unusual anxiety at the start of the study
• when shown a white rat the experimenter would frighten albert by a loud bang
• the noise is the unconditioned stimulus which created an unconditioned response of fear
• when the rat (neutral stimulus) and the loud bang are encountered close together the rat becomes associated with the bang and now they both produce a fear response
• the rat is now a conditioned stimulus that produces a conditioned response
• this condition is now generalised to similar objects, rabbits, fur coat and santa clause

Question 6

according to Mowrer why are phobias long lasting

Answer 6

• result of operant conditions
• responses acquired by classical conditioning decline over time

Question 7

maintenance by operant conditioning

Answer 7

• operant conditioning takes place when behavior is reinforced or punished
• reinfrocement increases frequency of behaviour
• in negative reinforcement an individual avoids a situation that is unpleasant resulting in the desirable consequence meaning the behaviour will be repeated
• reduction in fear reinforces the avoidance behavoiur and so the phobia is maintained

Question 8

strength of 2 process model

Answer 8

1. real world application
   - used in exposure therapy
   - 2 process model states that phobias are maintained by avoidance of the phobic stimulus
   - explains why people benefit from exposure to phobic stimulus
   - once the avoidance behaviour is prevented it ceases to be reinforced by the experience of anxiety reduction and avoidance declines
2. phobia and traumatic experiences
   - evidence for a link between bad experiences and phobias
   - little albert shows how a frightening experience involving a stimulus can lead to a phobia of that stimulus
   - study by jongh et al (2006) found that 73% of people with a fear of dental treatment had experience, compared to the control with low dental anxiety where only 21% had experienced a traumatic event
   - however not all phobias are due to a bad experiences
   - common phobias like snake phobias occur in populations where very few people have experiences with snakes
   - association between phobias and frightening experience not that strong

Question 9

limitations of the 2 process model

Answer 9

1. cognitive aspects of phobias
   - does not account for the cognitive aspects of phobias like holding irrational beliefs about the phobic stimulus
   - does not offer an adequate explanation for phobic cognitions