behavioural explanation for phobias evaluation

• Applied to real life

  One strength of the two-process model is its real-world application in exposure therapies (such as systematic desensitisation, described on the next spread).

  The distinctive element of the two-process model is the idea that phobias are maintained by avoidance of the phobic stimulus. This is important in explaining why people with phobias benefit from being exposed to the phobic stimulus. Once the avoidance behaviour is prevented it ceases to be reinforced by the experience of anxiety reduction and avoidance therefore declines. In behavioural terms the phobia is the avoidance behaviour so when this avoidance is prevented the phobia is cured.

  This shows the value of the two-process approach because it identifies a means of treating phobias.
• Barely recognises cogintion

  Cognitive aspects of phobias

  One limitation of the two-process model is that it does not account for the cognitive aspects of phobias.

  Behavioural explanations, including the two-process model, are geared towards explaining behaviour. In the case of phobias the key behaviour is avoidance of the phobic stimulus. However, we know that phobias are not simply avoidance responses - they also have a significant cognitive component. For example people hold irrational beliefs about the phobic stimulus (such as thinking that a spider is dangerous). The two-process model explains avoidance behaviour but does not offer an adequate explanation for phobic cognitions. This means that the two-process model does not completely explain the symptoms of phobias.
• evidence from little albert and Ad De Jongh Et Al

  A further strength of the two-process model is evidence for a link between bad experiences and phobias.

  The Little Albert study (facing page) illustrates how a frightening experience involving a stimulus can lead to a phobia of that stimulus. More systematic evidence comes from a study by Ad De Jongh et al. (2006) who found that 73% of people with a fear of dental treatment had experienced a traumatic experience, mostly involving dentistry (others had experienced being the victim of violent crime). This can be compared to a control group of people with low dental anxiety where only 21% had experienced a traumatic event.

  This confirms that the association between stimulus (dentistry) and an unconditioned response (pain) does lead to the development of the phobia.
• Counterpoint - phobias aren't all trauma based

  Not all phobias appear following a bad experience. In fact some common phobias such as snake phobias occur in populations where very few people have any experience of snakes let alone traumatic experiences. Also, considering the other direction, not all frightening experiences lead to phobias.

  This means that the association between phobias and frightening experiences is not as strong as we would expect if behavioural theories provided a complete explanation.