The Behavioural Approach to Explaing Phobias

Evaluate the two-process model (TWO)

Combining classical conditioning and operant conditioning can be seen as a better explanation than looking purely at one or the other to explain phobias. This is because classical conditioning on its own could not explain why, after the initial acquisition of phobias, people continued to be fearful and avoidant of the stimulus. However, the addition of operant conditioning can provide a reason for the maintenance of phobias

What is the two-process model

Mowrer (1947) proposed this model which suggests that phobias are first acquired through classical conditioning (phobias are acquired by associating a neutral stimulus with a fear response) and then maintained through operant conditioning (the phobic response is unpleasant and escaping from the object or situation causes a reduction in fear (negative reinforcement))

Evalutate the two-process model (evolution)

Not all phobias are acquired as a result of a negative experience. For example, Ost (1987) notes that many people with severe fears of snakes, germs, aeroplanes & heights have had no particularly unpleasant experiences with any of these objects or situations.

How does classical condiitoning explain how phobias are acquired (use an example)

Phobias are acquired by associating a neutral stimulus with a fear response The case study of Little Albert (Watson &Raynor, 1920) can be used to illustrate this: Before conditioning: When Albert was presented with a white rat, he showed no fear response. White rat = neutral stimulus (NS Watson &Raynor found that Albert showed a natural fear response to loud noises (unconditioned stimulus - UCS). 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)

Evaluate the two-process model (negative experience but no phobia)

Some people have negative experiences without developing a phobia. For example, Dinardo (1988) found participants in a control group without a phobia of dogs, experienced a similar proportion of fearful incidents with a dog but had not developed a phobia.

Evaluate the two-process model (applications)

The model suggests that phobias are maintained through operant conditioning (i.e. avoiding the phobic stimulus) therefore in order to treat the phobia it is important that the sufferer is exposed to their feared object or situation. This has led to the development of treatments such as Systematic Desensitisation.

Evaulate the two-process model (with supporting evidence)

There is supporting evidence for the acquisition of phobias via classical conditioning Sue et al (1994) found that people with phobias often recall a specific incident when their phobia appeared e.g. being bitten by a dog or experiencing a panic attack in a social situation. Barlow & Durand (1995) report that 50% of those with specific fear of driving remember a traumatic experience while driving (e.g. an accident) as having caused the onset of the phobia, e.g. some people become intensely afraid of driving a car after a serious accident (associate car with accident)

How does oeprant conditionig explain how phobias are maintained (use an example)?

the phobic response is unpleasant and escaping from the object or situation causes a reduction in fear (negative reinforcement) Peter is afraid of wasps, when he sees a wasp he becomes very anxious. He does not go out and play with his friends in the park which means he is able to avoid a situation where there may be a wasp. This leads to his anxiety being reduced as he no longer has to worry about coming into contact with a wasp.