Explaining phobias

• What does the behavioural approach emphasize in the acquisition of behaviour?

  The role of learning
• What key behavioural aspects of phobias are identified?

  Panic, avoidance, and endurance
• What does the behavioural approach focus on regarding phobias?

  Observable behaviour
• Who proposed the two-process model of phobias?

  1. Hobart Mowrer
• What does the two-process model state about phobias?

  They are acquired by classical conditioning
• What is the second process in the two-process model that maintains phobias?

  Operant conditioning
• What is classical conditioning?

  Learning to associate a neutral stimulus with a fear
• What did Watson and Rayner do in their experiment with 'Little Albert'?

  Created a phobia in a baby
• What was the unconditioned stimulus (UCS) in the 'Little Albert' experiment?

  Loud, frightening noise
• What does the neutral stimulus (NS) become after conditioning in the 'Little Albert' experiment?

  Conditioned stimulus (CS)
• What is the conditioned response (CR) in the 'Little Albert' experiment?

  Fear when seeing the rat
• What phenomenon occurred when 'Little Albert' displayed distress at similar objects?

  Generalization of conditioning
• Why do phobias tend to be long-lasting according to Mowrer?

  Due to operant conditioning
• What is negative reinforcement in the context of phobias?

  Avoiding unpleasant situations
• How does avoidance behaviour reinforce phobias?

  It reduces fear and anxiety
• What is a limitation of the two-process model regarding phobias?

  It does not account for cognitive aspects
• What significant cognitive component is associated with phobias?

  Irrational beliefs about the phobic stimulus
• What does the two-process model explain about phobias?

  It explains avoidance behaviour
• What does the two-process model fail to explain about phobias?

  Phobic cognitions
• What type of experiences are linked to phobias?

  Traumatic experiences
• What was the aim of the Little Albert Study?

  To see if fear can be learned
• What were the main components of the Little Albert Study's method?

  • Pre-conditioning: Albert showed no fear to stimuli
  • Conditioning Trials: Rat paired with loud noise
  • Post-conditioning: Albert showed fear to the rat
• What stimuli were shown to Albert during pre-conditioning?

  A white rat, rabbit, dog, and masks
• What was the neutral stimulus in the conditioning trials?

  The white rat
• What was the unconditioned stimulus in the study?

  The loud noise
• What was the unconditioned response to the loud noise?

  Fear
• What change occurred in Albert's response after conditioning?

  He showed fear when shown the rat
• What did Albert develop a fear of after conditioning?

  The rat and similar objects
• What is meant by generalization in the context of the study?

  Fear extended to similar objects
• Which objects did Albert generalize his fear to?

  A rabbit, fur coat, and Santa mask
• What was the conclusion of the Little Albert Study?

  Fear can be learned through conditioning