the biological approach to explaining phobias

• the two process model

  Mowrer proposed the two-process model based on the behavioural approach to phobias. this states that phobias are acquired (learned) by classical conditioning and then continue because of operant conditioning
• acquisition by classical conditioning

  classical conditioning involves learning to associate something which we initially have no fear of (neutral stimulus) with something that already triggers a fear response (unconditioned stimulus)
• little albert study

  created a phobia in a baby. Albert showed no unusual anxiety at the start of the study. the experimenters presented the rat with a loud noise banging it close to the baby's ear. this noise is an unconditioned stimulus which creates an unconditioned response of fear. when the rat ( neutral stimulus) and the unconditioned stimulus are encountered at the same time the NS becomes associated with the UCS and now both produce a response of fear
• little albert study continued

  The rat is now a conditioned stimulus that produces a conditioned response. this conditioning is then generalised to similar objects
• maintenance by operant conditioning

  operant conditioning takes place when our behaviour is rewarded or punished. reinforcement tends to increase the frequency of a behaviour. In the case of negative reinforcement an individual avoids a situation that is unpleasant. where as behaviour resulting in a reward is likely to be repeated.
• operant conditioning continued

  Mowrer suggested that whenever we avoid a phobic stimulus we successfully escape the fear and anxiety we would have suffered if we had remained there. This reduction in fear reinforces the avoidance behaviour and so the phobia is maintained
• A03 - good explanatory power

  • the two process model is good as it explained how phobias could be maintained over time and this had important implications for therapies because it explained why patients need to be exposed to the feared stimulus
  • once a patient is prevented from practising their avoidance the behaviour is reinforced and declines
• A03 - alternative explanation for avoidance behaviour

  • not all avoidance behaviour associated with phobias seem to be the result of anxiety reduction
  • there is evidence to suggest that at least some avoidance behaviour appears to be more motivated by positive feelings of safety
  • this is a problem for the two-process model which suggests that avoidance is motivated by anxiety reduction
• A03 - an incomplete explanation of phobias

  • Bounton points out that evolutionary factors probably have an important role in phobias
  • e.g. we easily acquire phobias of things that have been a source of danger in our past. it is adaptive to acquire these fears
  • Seligman called this biological preparedness where the innate predisposition is to acquire certain fears
  • this is a problem for the two-process model as it is more than conditioning