explaining phobias (behaviourial)

• P: the two process model is supported by research asking people about their phobias

  E: people with phobias often do recall a specific incident when their phobia appeared. however, not everyone who has a phobia can recall such an incident as they have been forgotten. Sue suggests that different phobias may be the result of different processes.

  L: this demonstrates the role of classical conditioning in developing phobias, but other processes may be involved in their maintenance
• P: if a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a fearful experience the result should be a phobia, but this doesnt always happen.

  E: research found that not everyone who is bitten by a dog develops a phobia of dogs. this could be explained by the diathesis-stress model. this proposes that we inherit a genetic vulnerability for developing mental disorders.

  L: this suggests that a dog bite would only lead to a phobia in those people with such vulnerability. therefore, the behavioural explanation is incomplete on its own
• P: an experiment by bandura and rosenthal supported the social learning explanation

  E: in the experiment a model acted as if he was in pain every time a buzzer sounded. Later on, those participants who had observed this showed an emotional reaction to the buzzer, demonstrating an acquired 'fear' response

  L: this demonstrates that modelling the behaviour of others can lead to the acquisition of phobias