The behavioural approach to explaining phobias

Question 1

What does the behavioural approach suggest and how does this explain phobias?

Answer 1

That all behaviours are learnt
Mowrer (1960)- developed the two-process model 1. phobias are acquired through classical conditioning 2. phobias are maintained through operant conditioning

Question 2

How are phobias acquired though classical conditioning? process 1

Answer 2

A phobia might develop through the association of a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus. Watson and Rayner (1920)- conditioned an infant , Little Albert to develop a phobia of rats
white rat (NS) = no response
loud noise (UCS) = fear response (UCR)
loud noise (UCS) + white rat (NS) = fear response (UCR)
white rat (CS) = fear response (CR)

Question 3

What other effects did this cause for Little Albert?

Answer 3

He became scared of anything fluffy and/or white including Santa Clause’s beard. This is called generalisation.

Question 4

How are phobias maintained through operant conditioning?

Answer 4

If someone with a phobia is in the presence of/ thinking about the feared stimulus, they will experience anxiety (a negative experience that they’re motivated to eliminate). they escape or avoid it to reduce anxiety- leading to a positive outcome (reducing the anxiety) so the avoidance is continued in similar situations- this is negative reinforcement- phobia is maintained as it has been negatively reinforced by the reduction of anxiety

Question 5

What are the strengths of the explanations of phobias?

Answer 5

1. useful implications for treating phobias- systematic desensitisation and flooding- face the phobia directly- avoidance cannot occur- no more reinforcement- phobia is ‘cured’- highlights the value in explaining and treatment
2. partial support- Ohman et al (1975)- tested classical conditioning as an explanation of fear acquisition- presented participants with pictures of logical fears and illogical fears- given electric shocks while doing so- had anxiety levels measured- fewer shocks were needed to condition a fear response to the logical fears- phobias can be developed through classical conditioning but there may be another explanation

Question 6

What are the limitations of the explanations of phobias?

Answer 6

1. can only explain the behavioural characteristics- such as avoidance- cognitive and emotional characteristics are not explained- no full explanation
2. only focuses on nurture- Seligman (1970)- it is adaptive to fear things that can harm us- our ancestors survived because they had these fears so avoided danger- the fears were inherited- biological preparedness- explains logical fears in Ohman’s research- interactionist approach may be better for explaining phobias