AO1

• A behaviourist model for explaining phobias is the two-process model. Behaviourists see all behaviour (including phobias) as learnt via experience
• In the two-process model Mower (1960) suggests that phobias are first acquired (learned) via association (classical conditioning), and then maintained via reinforcement (operant conditioning).
• Social learning theorists suggest that learning can happen vicariously by observing models. Observing a fear response in others can then result in the same display of fear, especially if the behaviour results in reward for the model
• Mowrer suggested that phobias are acquired through classical conditioning and then maintained through operant conditioning
• Watson and Rayner demonstrated how Little Albert associated the fear caused by a loud bang with a white rat. He was exposed to a white rat (NS), producing no response. When paired with the loud bang (UCS), this produced the UCR of fear. Through several repetitions, Albert made the association between the rat (CS) and fear (CR). This conditioning then generalised to other objects e.g. white fluffy Santa Claus hats. Operant conditioning takes place when a behaviour is rewarded or punished.
• Example for maintenance of a phobia: Laura has been invited to a summer picnic. As she approaches the park she sees a number of bees. The thought of sitting near them causes her anxiety, so she calls her friends to say that an emergency has come up and she can’t make it. As she heads home, she is sad as she wanted to spend time with friends, but her anxiety decreases as she didn’t need to be around the bees and the phobia is thus negatively reinforced.
• Operate conditioning explains how phobias are maintained. If fear is lowered by avoiding the phobic stimulus, then avoidance becomes a negative reinforcer