EXPLAINING PHOBIAS

• How are phobias acquired?

  through classical conditioning (Mowrer)
• How are phobias maintained?

  through operant conditioning
• what is the process of classical conditioning?

  UCS triggers a fear response (UCR)

  NS is paired with the UCS

  NS becomes the CS producing fear (CR)
• What is a phobia?

  An extreme or irrational fear of an object, situation or activity that is disproportionate to the actual danger and disruptive to everyday life
• How is a phobia maintained through operant conditioning?

  through avoidance of the phobic stimuli, which is negatively reinforced as something unpleasant is avoided. so the behaviour continues
• What is the model to explain phobias called?

  the two process model
• What is a strength of the two process model?

  supporting research.

  found that people with phobias can often report a specific incident that triggered the phobia
• contradictory research:

  not everyone can recall a specific incident that started their phobia
• Limitations of the two process model?

  some phobias it cannot explain - many people are scared of spiders but have not experienced a traumatic event. many people have traumatic events with cars but do not have a phobia

  
  

  Incomplete: diathesis-stress model
• What is biological preparedness?

  refers to the idea that certain behaviours or reactions have been hardwired into our minds
• what is the diathesis stress model?

  states all psychological disorders are caused by a gene plus a stressful triggering event which causes a phobia