Behaviourist explanation for phobias

• Outline the two-process model as a behaviourist explanation for phobias.


  The two-process model proposes that phobias develop through classical conditioning and are maintained through operant conditioning.

  In terms of classical conditioning, an individual learns to associate a neutral stimulus (e.g. dogs) with an unconditioned stimulus that produces an unconditioned response of fear (e.g. being bitten).
• Outline the two-process model as a behaviourist explanation for phobias.


  This results in the neutral stimulus (e.g. dogs) becoming a conditioned phobic stimulus that produces the conditioned response of fear.

  Fear generalisation can then occur whereby the individual will fear similar objects/situations.
• Outline the two-process model as a behaviourist explanation for phobias.


  Phobias are then maintained through operant conditioning whereby they negatively reinforce their phobia every time they avoid their phobic stimulus (because it removes the unpleasant feeling of fear).

  This makes it likely that the person will continue avoiding their phobic stimulus and so fear extinction (the removal of the fear) cannot take place.
• Evaluate the two-process model as an explanation for phobias: supporting evidence.

  The study on Little Albert showed how an infant could be made to develop a phobia of a white rat (initially the neutral stimulus) by striking a metal bar to make a loud noise (unconditioned stimulus) every time Little Albert reached for the rat. It was also found that fear generalisation occurred, with little Albert also becoming fearful of similar objects to a white rat such as a white rabbit. This is a strength as it shows how individuals can be classically conditioned to develop a phobia.
• Evaluate the two-process model as an explanation for phobias: environmentally reductionist.

  Explains phobias through stimulus-response learning and so assumes that traumatic experiences should result in the development of a phobia.

  Research has found that 50% of people who had a traumatic experience of being bitten by a dog did not go on to develop a phobia of dogs. This is a limitation because It suggests cognitive factors may also play a role in affecting whether someone develops a phobia or not.
• Evaluate the two-process model as an explanation for phobias: overly focused on the nurture side of the nature-nurture debate.

  Proposes that all phobias are learned through the environmental experiences of classical and operant conditioning.

  Not all phobias are trigged by a traumatic experience.

  Biological psychologists propose that due to our evolutionary past, we are born with an increased likelihood of developing some phobias to aid our survival (e.g. fear of snakes as they could poison us).
• Evaluate the two-process model as an explanation for phobias: resulted in treatments for phobias.

  Systematic desensitisation treats phobias through the process of counterconditioning whereby the client is gradually taught to associate their phobia stimulus with the feeling of relaxation rather than fear. This is a strength because both treatments have found to be effective ways of treating phobias and, if the treatments developed out of the two-process model are effective, the explanation itself must have merit.