behavioural approach to explaining phobias

• behavioural assumptions regarding phobias

  phobias are acquired through learning from the environment

  • classical conditioning
  • operant conditioning
  • social learning
• behavioural assumptions regarding phobias

  the two process theory looks at the different stages of a phobia:

  • acquisition/initiation (classical)
  • maintenance (operant)
• maintenance of a phobia

  • occurs via operant conditioning
  • approaching the feared object/situation elicits a conditioned anxiety response
  • in this instance the normal instinct would be to retreat from situation = reduction anxiety
  • acts as a form of negative reinforcement, which encourages the person to avoid the object/situation entirely
• social learning

  phobias may also be acquired via modelling the behaviour of other people

  • for example, seeing a parents respond to a spider with fear and anxiety
  • may cause a similar response from the child
  • this behaviour appears rewarding as the fearful person gaines the attention of others.
• strengths

  behavioural therapies have been very effective in treating phobias

  • the success of the therapy supports the explanation. it suggests they they may have a behavioural origin in the first place
• supporting research for social learning explanation (can contradict two-process theory)

  • mineka et al. (1984)
  • monkeys in separate enclosures, but visible to each other
  • one monkey is bitten by a (non-venomous) snake and the second monkey witnesses its fear response
  • when shown a snake, the second monkey reacts with extreme anxiety
• limitations

  the two process theory may be reductionist as it ignores cognitive factors

  • it fails to take into account the impact of irrational thoughts, which are a major characteristic of phobias

  so what?

  irrational thoughts account for phobias, rather learnt.

  does not explain biological, cognition factors.
• limitations

  two process theory may be deterministic

  • not everyone who is bitten by a dog will develop a phobia of dogs
  • better explained by a diathesis-stress model
  • we may be genetically predisposed to develop certain fear, but they will only develop when triggered by some sort of experience. this is known as 'preparedness'