Two-Process Model

• Mowrer (1947) put forward a two-process model.
• Mowrer suggested that phobias are learned through classical conditioning and maintained through operant conditioning.
• Mowrer (1960) proposed the two-process model based on the behavioural approach to phobias.
• Classical conditioning is making an association between an unconditioned stimulus and a neutral stimulus over time.
• In classical conditioning the neutral stimulus is paired with the unconditioned stimulus creating a conditioned response.
• In classical conditioning the UCS is paired with the NS over time creating a conditioned response.
• In operant conditioning reinforcement is used to strengthen a behaviour making it more likely to occur again.
• Positive reinforcement is gaining something pleasant to encourage a behaviour to continue.
• Negative reinforcement removes something unpleasant to encourage a behaviour to continue.
• Punishment aims to stop a behaviour altogether.
• Mowrer suggested that when we avoid a phobic stimulus we successfully escape fear and anxiety.
• Phobic responses acquired by classical conditioning can fade over time, which might explain what operant conditioning reinforces them to continue.