Explanations and Treatments.

• What is a behavioural explanation for how phobias are required and maintained and who explored this?

  Both classical and operant conditioning take part, this is explored by Mowrer in 1960.
• What did Mowrer develop in 1960 to show how phobias are made?

  The two process model.
• What does the two process model suggest?

  -Phobias are required through classical conditioning, this is done by learning through association.

  -Then, this is maintained through operant conditioning.

  --->Negative reinforcement occurs here.
• What is negative reinforcement?

  Negative reinforcement is when an individual avoids an unpleasant situation as it has a desirable consequence of relief.

  ->This reinforces the avoidance behaviour, and this is how phobias are maintained.
• What are the two behavioural treatments for phobias?

  -Flooding

  -Systematic desensitisation.
• What is flooding?

  Its an immediate exposure to the phobic stimulus.
• Why and how does flooding work?

  -There is a limit to how long the body can sustain a response fear.

  --->When the physical response decreases, the anxiety will follow.

  -Without the option of avoidance the client learns the phobic stimulus is harmless.

  -->This process is called extinction.
• What is 'in vivo' exposure?

  The presentation of the feared object/situation itself.
• What is 'in vitro' exposure?

  Imaginary exposure of the phobic stimulus, sometimes this is necessary.
• What is systematic desensitisation and what is it based on?

  -It involves gradually exposing the individual to the phobic stimulus while being relaxed.

  -Uses counter conditioning and is based on the idea of reciprocal inhibition.
• What does reciprocal inhibition mean in relation to SD?

  An individual can't be anxious/scared and relaxed at the same time.
• How many stages are in systematic desensitisation?

  It is a three stage process.
• What is the first stage of SD?

  -To teach the client relaxation techniques.

  -->This is to get the px to be relaxed as deeply as possible.
• What is the second stage of SD?

  An 'anxiety hierarchy' is put together, with the biggest fear on the top.
• What is step 3 of SD?

  Exposure.

  -When the px is relaxed and only when they are, they will be exposed to the phobic stimulus.

  -->This starts from the bottom of the hierarchy and than it progresses.

  ---->The treatment is successful when the px can stay relaxed.