Behaviourist Explanation

• Mowrer (1960) proposed the two-process model based on the behavioural approach to phobias. It states that phobias are acquired by classical conditioning and then maintained through operant conditioning.
• Classical conditioning involves learning to associate a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus, which already provokes fear. This association creates a conditioned stimulus, which has a conditioned response of fear.
• When a phobic stimulus is avoided, the negative emotions, such as fear, go away. Thus, avoidance is negatively reinforced, meaning the phobia is maintained through operant conditioning.
• STRENGTH: Case study.

  Watson and Rayner (1920) conducted a case study on Little Albert. Initially, Little Albert showed no response to the white rat, however, through association with a loud noise, the white rat became a conditioned stimulus, which provoked a conditioned response of fear.

  CA:

  Lack generalisability
• STRENGTH: Real world application.

  Treatments, such as systematic desensitisation, have been created using the two-process model.
• STRENGTH:

  Barlow and Durand found that 50% of participants with driving phobias could recall a traumatic event that caused the driving phobia. Furthermore, of those who experienced a traumatic event, many had not driven since.

  CA:

  Not all phobias are caused by a traumatic event.

  Bounton (2007) acknowledges that evolutionary factors may have an important role in phobias.