phobias

• what approach is used to explain phobias?

  behavioural
• what's the model used to explain phobias?

  two-process model
• who developed the two-process model to explaining phobias?

  Mowrer in 1960

  
• what is the two-process model's main assumption?

  behaviour is learned through experience via environmental stimuli
• what are the two mechanisms used to explain phobias?

  1. classical conditioning
  2. operant conditioning
• how is classical conditioning linked to phobias?

  development
• how is operant conditioning linked to phobias?

  maintenance
• outline classical conditioning in developing a phobias

  • transformation of neutral stimulus into conditioned stimulus
  • learning by association
• outline operant conditioning in maintaining a phobia

  • reinforcement in behaviour
  • learning via consequences
• explain what B.F. Skinner's study found about conditioning

  • used rats
  • learnt to tap a lever in order to be rewarded with food (positive reinforcement)
  • tapped lever to avoid electric shock (negative reinforcement)
• who completed the little albert study?

  watson and rayner in 1920

  
• outline the method of the little albert study

  • 9 month old baby showed no fear when presented with a white rat
  • white rat was presented with a loud noise
  • noise (UCS) created fear response (UCR)
  • pairing of the rat (NS) with noise (UCS) created fear response
• explain the findings of the little albert study

  • albert displayed fear when saw rat (NS) without noise (UCS)
  • rat became the CS producing the CR of fear
  • phobia was established by classical conditioning
• strength of explanation - usefulness

  • real-world application
  • effective treatments e.g. flooding or systematic desensitisation
  • practical explanation
• what are the two treatment methods for phobias?

  1. flooding
  2. systematic desensitisation
• outline systematic desensitisation

  gradual, stage-based process that takes place over weeks or months
• explain the principles of systematic desensitisation

  classical conditioning

  • reverse these mechanisms to revert conditioned phobic stimulus to neutral stimulus
  • gradually expose phobic person to stimulus to condition them to view the stimulus without fear
• what are the 3 stages of systematic desensitisation?

  1. anxiety hierarchy
  2. relaxation
  3. exposure
• outline the anxiety hierarchy as part of systematic desensitisation

  • patient and therapist work together to construct hierarchy
  • list of situations that involve phobic stimulus
  • rate from least to most frightening
• outline relaxation as part of systematic desensitisation

  • breathing exercises to calm patient physiologically by slowing and controlling breath
  • visualisation involves patient placing themselves mentally in a calming environment
  • drug therapy is used as a biological treatment
• outline exposure as part of systematic desensitisation

  • whilst in relaxed state, patient is exposed to phobic stimulus
  • start at stage 1 of anxiety hierarchy
  • patient moves up hierarchy stage by stage, checking for signs of panic
  • aim is to move to top of hierarchy whilst remaining relaxed and in control
• weakness of systematic desensitisation - less effective

  • phobias with cognitive elements
  • social phobias involve irrational thoughts which isn't addressed
  • not a universal treatment
• outline flooding as a treatment method for phobias

  sudden, extreme exposure to phobic stimulus
• explain the approach of flooding

  • doesn't place patient in calm state or have them practice relaxation
  • take place in one session
  • sudden exposure to phobic conditioned stimulus is designed to extinguish fear
• outline extinction as part of flooding

  • absence of fear in face of conditioned phobic stimulus
  • patient can't avoid or escape stimulus so deal with it
• strength of flooding - efficient

  • quick and cost-effective
  • alternative for patients who need rapid treatment
  • practical therapy
• weakness of explanation - biological factors

  • some phobias are not learned through conditioning
  • Seligman proposed biological preparedness theory for survival
  • not complete explanation
• weakness of explanation - cognition

  • ignores cognitive factors
  • irrational thoughts aren't explained
  • need for a holistic approach
• weakness of flooding - stressful

  • highly distressing
  • limits usefulness and patients can't tolerate high levels of fear
  • less ethical and suitable
• weakness of flooding - lacks effectiveness

  • social phobias
  • irrational thoughts from fear of embarrassment and judgement
  • not a one-size-fits-all treatment