application question on two process model

• Who proposed the two process model


  Mowrer,1960, proposed the two process model to explain phobias this model argues that phobias are acquired through classical conditioning and then maintained through operant conditioning the two process model can be used to explain someone's phobia through the processes of classical and operant conditioning
• What happens during classical conditioning

  During classical conditioning which is described as the onset of the phobia someone acquires their phobia through the association of that which someone may not initially have a fear of (neutral stimulus) with something that triggers a fear response (unconditioned response) this event triggered the associated fear
• When does operant conditioning take place

  Takes place when a behaviour is rewarded or punished e.g. phobics practice avoidance by avoiding the associated fear and the unpleasant consequence. Mowrer said that when we avoid a public stimulus when we try to successfully escape the fear and anxiety that we would have suffered if we had remained there. This reduction in fear reinforces the avoidance behaviour via negative reinforcement
• What does avoidance behaviour enable

  Enables the phobia to be maintained as its more likely to happen again in the future
• What is a strength of the two process model

  It has good explanatory power as it is able to explain the mechanism behind the acquisition and maintenance of phobias which classical or operant conditioning alone cannot do. Through its ability to explain this mechanism it can translate to practical benefits when it come to treating phobic anxiety in systematic desensitisation and flooding
• What can we see through Mowrer's model

  Through his model we can see that he emphasises the importance of exposing the patient to the phobic stimulus because this prevents the negative reinforcement of avoidance behaviour
• What does the strength of its explanatory power enable psychologists to do

  The strength of its explanatory power gives psychologists the ability to see the root cause of the acquired phobia and directly aim appropriate and effective treatment. During treatment the patient realises that the phobic stimulus is harmless and that their responses are irrational thus translating into a successful therapy
• What is a weakness of the model

  A weakness of the model is that there could be an alternative explanation for both the acquisition of a phobia and avoidance behaviour. Buck suggested that there’s an alternative explanation for avoidance behaviour he suggested that safety is a greater motivator for avoidance behaviour rather than simply avoiding the anxiety associated with the phobic stimulus
• What example does Buck use to suggest the alternate explanation for acquiring a phobia

  e.g. he uses the example of social anxiety phobias such sufferers can venture but only with a trusted friend, despite still being exposed to hundreds of strangers which would usually trigger anxiety this means that Mowrer’s explanation of phobias may be incomplete and only suited for some
• What is the alternative explanation for the acquisition of phobias


  Seligman suggested that we are more likely to develop phobias towards 'prepared' stimuli. These are stimuli which would have posed a threat to our evolutionary ancestors such as fire or deep water and so running away from such stimulus increases increases the likelihood of survival and reproduction and so this behaviour has a selective evolutionary advantage. This means that alternative theories can explain why some phobias are much more frequent than other phobias