Two process model (behaviourist explanation for phobias) Flashcards
(13 cards)
AO1
- The two process model is an explanation for the onset and persistence of disorders that create anxiety
- Mowrer proposed the Two process model as an explanation for the behavioural characteristics of phobias
- Phobias are acquire in the first place through classical conditioning and then maintained because of operant conditioning
- Behavioural (behaviourist) approach – A way of explaining behaviour in terms of what is observable and in terms of learning
- Two process model – An explanation for the onset and persistence of disorders that create anxiety, such as phobias. The two processes are classical conditioning for onset and operant conditioning for persistence
- Classical conditioning – Learning by association. Occurs when two stimuli are repeated paired together – an unconditioned (unlearned) stimulus (UCS) and a new ‘neutral’ stimulus (NS). The neutral stimulus (NS) eventually produces the same response that was first produced by the unconditioned (unlearned) stimulus alone
- Operant conditioning – a form of learning in which behaviour is shaped and maintained by its consequences. Possible consequences of behaviour include positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement or punishment
AO3 (1) two process model
- A strength of the two process model is its real-world application
- For example, this works well in exposure therapies such as systematic desensitisation which is effective in curing phobias
- This is a strength because the two process model displays the idea that phobias are maintained by the avoidance of the phobic stimulus, which helps to explain why people with phobias benefit from being exposed to the phobic stimulus in real life.
- However, it can be argued that therapies like exposure therapies cannot work for everyone so the two process model may not have any effect on clinical treatment for some patients, showing it cannot be generalised to everyone
- Despite this, the two process model identifies the means of treating phobias, showing its value
- Thus increasing the validity of the two process model
AO3 (2) two process model
- Another strength of the two process model is the evidence of traumatic event
- For example, evidence from a study showed that 73% of people with a fear of dental treatment had had experienced a traumatic experience, mostly involving dentistry, compared to a control group of people with low dental anxiety where only 21% experienced a traumatic event.
- This is a strength because it shows a frightening experience/traumatic event involving a stimulus can lead to a phobia of that stimulus, which is shown through the two process model as it is evidence for a link between experiences and phobias
- However it can be argued that not all phobias appear following a bad experience and in some cases the most common phobias like phobias of snakes occur in populations where very few people have any experience of snakes let alone traumatic experience, suggesting that the association between phobias and experience isn’t as strong as we expect
- Despite this, it confirms that the association between stimulus and an unconditioned response can and does lead to the development of the phobia.
- Thus increasing the validity of the two process model
AO3 (3) two process model
- A weakness of the two process model is that it does not account for other aspect of phobias like cognitive factors
- For example, behavioural explanations, including the two-process model are geared towards explaining behaviour, however it is known that phobias are not simply an avoidance response and also have a significant cognitive component like holding irrational beliefs about the phobic stimulus
- This is a weakness because the two process model explains avoidance behaviour but does not offer an adequate explanation for phobic cognitions, reducing the usefulness of the model as it lacks information.
- However, it can be argued that the two process model narrowing down its focus onto research methods helped to explain acquisition and maintenance of phobias in greater detail, showing its reliability
- Overall, the two process model does not completely explain the symptoms of phobias
- Thus decreasing the validity of the two process model
what is the two process model and who proposed it
Mowrer (1947) proposed this model which suggests that phobias are first acquired through classical
conditioning and then maintained through operant conditioning.
what are the ways a phobia is acquired and maintained
Classical conditioning: How phobias are acquired.
Operant conditioning: How phobias are maintained
explain classical conditioning for how phobias are acquired
Phobias are acquired by associating a neutral stimulus with a fear response.
explain little albert case study and how it shows classical conditioning for acquisition of a phobia
Before conditioning:
When Albert was presented with a white rat, he showed no fear response.
White rat = neutral stimulus (NS)
During conditioning:
Albert was presented with the white rat (NS) again and at the same time the researchers struck a steel bar, making a loud noise (UCS) –
this led to Albert crying (unconditioned response -UCR)
This was repeated several times.
After conditioning:
Now, the white rat (previously the NS but is now the conditioned stimulus – CS) alone makes Albert afraid/cry (conditioned response – CR)
Once a phobia has been acquired, it is maintained by operant conditioning.
what sentence can summarise classical conditioning for the acquisition of a phobia
Once a phobia has been acquired, it is maintained by operant conditioning.
explain operant conditioning for how phobias are maintained
Operant conditioning states that if behaviours are reinforced they are likely to be repeated.
In the case of phobias, the phobic response is unpleasant and escaping from the object or situation causes a reduction in fear.
This is an example of negative reinforcement because you are removing/taking away something negative and are rewarded for doing so (you feel less anxiety).
strength of two process model
supporting evidence for the acquisition of phobias via classical conditioning
limitations of the two process model
challenging evidence for the acquisition of phobias via classical conditioning
individual differences - not everyone will learn a fear response after a negative experience
cannot fully explain why some phobias are more common than others
explain the ao3s for the two process model in a short explanation
strength - real world application, works well in exposure therapy like SD, shows the idea that phobias are maintained by avoidance of the stimulus like in model, however cant work for everyone so ungeneralisable for all, despite this identified means of treating phobia so its got value
strength - evidence of traumatic events, 73% of ppl with fear of dental treatment experiences had had experienced a traumatic experience, mostly involving dentistry, compared to control group with low dental anxiety where only 21% experienced a traumatic event showing frightening experience w/ stimulus can lead to phobia of stimulus, however not all phobias come after a bad experience like being afraid of snakes when you’ve never seen one, despite this, it confirms association between stimulus and unconditioned response leads to development of phobia
weakness - doesn’t account for other factors like cog, geared towards explaining behaviour but there’s significant cog components like holding irrational beliefs that count as well, weakness as not an adequate explanation for phobic cognitions, however, helps focus on acquisition and maintenance of phobias in greater detail, despite this does not completely explain symptoms of phobias
