Behaviourist Explanation of Phobias

• Two Process Model

  The behaviourist approach emphasises the role of learning in the acquisition of behaviour. The approach focuses on what we can see: behaviour. The key behavioural aspects of phobias are panic, endurance and avoidance and the BA is geared towards explaining these rather than the cognitive and emotional aspects of phobias. Mowrer proposed the two-process model based on the BA to explain phobias. It states that phobics are acquired (learned or gained) by classical conditioning and then continue as a result of operant conditioning.
• Acquisition of Classical Conditioning

  CC involves learning to associate something of which we initially have no fear of (neutral stimulus) with something that already triggers a fear response (unconditioned stimulus).
• Acquisition by Classical Conditioning

  Watson & Rayner created a phobia in 9 year old little Albert: Albert showed no unusual anxiety at the start of the study and when he was presented with a white rat he tried to play with it. Whenever the rat was presented to Albert, the researchers banged an iron bar by Alberts ear to scare him.
• Acquisition by Classical Conditioning

  The noise (unconditioned stimulus) creates fear (an unconditioned response). When the rat (neutral stimulus) and the noise (unconditioned stimulus) are encountered together close in time the neutral stimulus becomes associated with the unconditioned stimulus and now both stimuli produce the fear response. When he saw the rat he displayed fear so the rat is now a conditioned stimulus that produces a conditioned response. This conditioning can be generalised to similar objects.
• Acquisition by Classical Conditioning

  They tested Albert by showing him objects such as a non-white rabbit, fur coat and Watson wearing a Santa Claus beard made of cotton balls and he showed signs of distress at the sight of all of these.
• Maintenance by Operant Conditioning

  Responses acquired by CC usually tend to decline over time. Phobias are often long-lasting. Mowers explained this is a result of operant conditioning.
• Maintenance by Operant Conditioning

  Operant Conditioning takes place when our behaviour is reinforced (rewarded or punished). Reinforcement tends to increase the frequency of behaviour. Negative reinforcement; an individual avoids a situation that’s unpleasant and so behaviour results in a desirable consequence and will be repeated.
• Maintenance by Operant Conditioning

  Mowrer suggested that whenever we avoid a phobic stimulus we successfully escape the fear and anxiety that we would’ve experienced if we had remained there. The reduction in fear reinforces the avoidance behaviour and so the phobia is maintained.